The Will call on Saturday Hoppers-Intimidators

HOPPERS KEEP BATS GOING TO GRAB SWEEP

GREENSBORO, NC – There were plenty of hits left over from the first half of Saturdays’ doubleheader, as offense ruled supreme in the back-end of the Hoppers’ day-night sweep of the Kannapolis Intimidators.

Both teams slugged their way towards double digits in the hits column, giving both teams at least 11 hits in both of today’s games.

Leading the way for the Hoppers’ was centerfielder Kevin Mattison along with top prospects Kyle Skipworth and Isaac Galloway. Mattison paced all hitters with a 4-5 day at the plate, his first four hit performance since the first month of the season.

Galloway and Skipworth each recorded three hits to keep pace with Mattison, and helped the Hoppers battle past the Intimidators by the score of 10-9.

Galloway has eased his way back from the Disabled list, but has really caught fire since failing to record a hit in his first two games back. Since then, Galloway is 5-8, including a double and three runs scored in tonight’s contest.

Skipworth turned in one of his best performances of his young career as well, with all three of his hits going for extra bases. His three doubles plated two runs to help Mattison and Emilio Ontiveros with the game’s run production, as the three combined to bring home eight of the Hopper’s 10 total runs.

Kannapolis rolled over their offensive fireworks from game one as well though, tagging lefty starter Wade Korpi for back-to-back home runs early in the first inning. Korpi responded by tossing two scoreless innings, and let the Hoppers swing their way back into the ballgame.

A five run second gave the Hoppers their first lead of the contest, when a hit batsmen, single, and error loaded the bases for Ontiveros. Ontiveros tripled his RBI output for the season when he smoked a double down the third base line to clear the bases. Mattison followed the two-out RBIs with a double of his own, and later scored on a Paul Gran chopper that found its way through the infield.

Galloway and Skipworth ripped back-to-back doubles in the next inning to increase their lead, but saw Kannapolis fight back in the next inning after a six run rally gave the Intimidators their first lead since the opening frame.

The Hoppers would force a tie in the bottom half, however, after Ontiveros worked a walk and came around to score. Galloway led off the following inning with a single, and used his speed to score from first on a Skipworth double to right field. Mattison brought home two more on a line single up the box, putting the Hoppers back on top 10-8.

The Hoppers would cruise from there, as Bryan Evans (2-2) picked up the win in relief for the Hoppers, tossing 2 1/3 innings while allowing just two runs. Pete Andrelczyk closed the game for Evans, picking up the four out save to remain perfect in save chances on the season.

The Hoppers, now 36-33, close out their series with Kannapolis on Fathers’ Day tomorrow, hosting their final game at NewBridge Bank Park until after the SAL All-Star game.

The first pitch of the Sunday showdown is scheduled for 4:05 p.m.

Will Cornelius
Media Relations, Intern
Greensboro Grasshoppers Baseball