KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (July 22, 2017) - Gavin Sheets doubled twice, but the Intimidators fell to the Columbia Fireflies 4-0 on Saturday night at Intimidators Stadium supported by Carolinas HealthCare System. Sheets finished the night 2-for-4 and Mitch Roman also added a double in a 2-for-4 performance, as Kannapolis (11-18 Second
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (July 22, 2017) - Gavin Sheets doubled twice, but the Intimidators fell to the Columbia Fireflies 4-0 on Saturday night at Intimidators Stadium supported by Carolinas HealthCare System. Sheets finished the night 2-for-4 and Mitch Roman also added a double in a 2-for-4 performance, as Kannapolis (11-18 Second Half, 50-47) packed the park with 3,989 fans on Star Wars Night.
Columbia reliever Adam Atkins (2-0) earned the win, tossing 2 and 1/3 scoreless innings while allowing just two hits in relief of starter Justin Brantley, who lasted just 3 and 2/3 innings. Kannapolis starter Blake Hickman (2-5) took the loss, allowing three runs on six hits with three walks and five strikeouts in five innings.
The Fireflies opened the scoring in the fourth when Jacob Zanon singled and stole second base to start the frame. With the bases loaded, Zanon scored from third on an RBI groundout to second by Arnaldo Berrios making it 1-0.
Two innings later, Zanon walked to start the top of the sixth and was followed by Dash Winningham who lined a two-run home run over the right field fence to make it 3-0 Columbia.
Still leading by three in the ninth, Zanon recorded a sacrifice fly to right field scoring Ian Strom and giving the Fireflies a 4-0 lead. Zanon finished the night 1-for-2 with an RBI, two runs scored and two walks. Columbia Leadoff hitter Andrés Giménez posted a 3-for-4 performance, finishing a home run shy of the cycle.
Kannapolis squandered several scoring opportunities stranding eight runners on base, including runners in scoring position five times, while going 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
Kannapolis continues a seven-game homestand tomorrow with the second game of a four-game series against Columbia on Sunday night at 5:05 p.m. The Intimidators send to the mound RHP Dylan Cease (0-1, 3.60 ERA) against Fireflies RHP Harol Gonzalez (6-7, 4.17 ERA). Gates open at 4 p.m. Sunday is Country Night featuring country music and country-themed entertainment throughout the game, as well as Kid's Day with a pregame autograph session and postgame kids run the bases. Tickets are available by calling the F&M Bank Box Office at 704-932-3267 or by visiting IntimidatorsBaseball.com.
