Hutter's Big Day Leads Shorebirds to 6-4 Win

Kannapolis, NC - The Delmarva Shorebirds (7-5) scored six runs in the first two innings en route to an 8-4 win over the Kannapolis Intimidators (7-5) on Monday night.  The Shorebirds offense notched 12 hits and a season high eight runs.  Joel Hutter paced the offense with four hits and three RBIs.

The Shorebirds exploded in the first inning against Kannapolis starter Euclides Leyer for four hits and four runs.  Anthony Vega extended his hit streak to 12 with a single to left to open the game.  After moving to second on a groundout, he scored on a double down the left field line by Joel Hutter.  Then, Christian Walker hit an RBI single up the middle to give the Shorebirds a 2-0 lead. Two batters later, Creede Simpson hit a line drive homer to left field to stretch the lead to 4-0. 

Kannapolis plated a run in the bottom of the first.  Adam Heisler drew a one out walk and later scored on a groundout by Rangel Ravelo.

The Shorebirds tacked on two runs in the second.  Torsten Boss ripped a double to right field to open the inning.  He reached third on a groundout and scored on an error by catcher Michael Marjama.  Later in the inning, Joel Hutter singled to score Vega, who reached on a walk. 

Kannapolis trimmed the gap to 6-3 with two runs in the third.  Micah Johnson singled and stole second and third.  He scored on a single by Ravelo.  Later in the inning, Ravelo attempted a steal to third and Wager threw wide to third, allowing Ravelo to score.

The Shorebirds added to their lead in the fourth.  Gregory Lorenzo hit a lead off single to left field.  After moving up on two groundouts, he scored on single to right-center field by Hutter.

In the fifth, the team's traded runs. Wynston Sawyer singled to open the inning.  He reached second on a wild pitch.  Sawyer advanced to third on a groundout and scored on a second wild pitch.  Kannapolis cut the deficit to 8-4 on an RBI single by Jason Coats.

Neither team scored the remainder of the game. 

Shorebirds starter Brady Wager earned his first professional win over six innings.  He allowed six hits and four runs.

Matt Hobgood tossed a scoreless seventh inning highlighted by a 1-6-3 double play to end the inning.  Williams Louico struck out two batters in the eighth, but walked the bases loaded.  He was replaced by Matt Price, who struck out Michael Johnson with the bases loaded.  Price retired the Intimidators in order in the ninth to earn his second save of the season.

The Shorebirds and Intimidators continue the series on Tuesday, April 16 at 7:05pm.  Right-hander Parker Bridwell is the scheduled starter for Delmarva.