Kannapolis drops series finale to Hickory

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (April 18, 2011) - The Kannapolis Intimidators dropped a third straight games to the Hickory Crawdads, falling 6-1 on Monday night at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium. While Kannapolis was able to hold Hickory to only two runs in the first inning, they were again unable to match Hickory's first-inning run total over the course of the game.

Hickory's Teodoro Martinez led off the first inning with a walk and stole second and third base before Tomas Telis cashed him with a sacrifice fly. Josh Richmond tripled later in the inning to drive in another run for the early 2-0 Crawdads lead.

The Intimidators responded in the bottom of the frame as 2B Ross Wilson reached on a fielders choice and scored thanks to consecutive singles by LF Brady Shoemaker and C Mike Blanke.

Crawdad's starter Roman Mendez (2-0) settled down to retire 12 straight batters from the second through six innings before leaving the game after 5 and 1/3 innings of work, earning the win. Kannapolis stranded the bases loaded against Hickory reliever Joe Van Meeter in the sixth inning.

The Crawdads extended their lead with three runs in the fourth inning, thanks to a hit batter and a pair of walks from Intimidators starter RHP Ryan Buch. Christian Villanueva used an RBI-double, and Kellin Deglan added a two-run single for Hickory in the frame, extending their lead to 5-1. Buch (1-2) took the loss, pitching 5 and 1/3 innings, allowing six runs off seven hits while striking out four and walking three.

For the third straight game, the Intimidators could not match Hickory's first-inning run total. On Saturday, the Crawdads scored six in the first en route to a 9-5 win, and Sunday's four runs were enough in the 12-3 final.

Kannapolis begins a five game series against the West Virginia Power on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium. Tickets are available by calling (704) 932-3267 or visiting www.IntimidatorsBaseball.com.