KANNAPOLIS, N.C. - The West Virginia Power split a doubleheader with the Kannapolis Intimidators Tuesday night, falling 1-0 in the first game on a walk-off single, then plating four runs over the first three innings to take the nightcap, 5-2, at CMC-NorthEast Stadium.
West Virginia starter Buddy Borden surrendered just two hits while striking out three and walking none in six innings, but Kannapolis starter Tyler Danish matched him. In the bottom of the seventh against Power receiver Clario Perez (1-1), Danny Hayes singled before moving to second on a sacrifice bunt and to third on a ground out. With two out, Carl Thomore singled up the middle for the victory. Kannapolis' Dylan Chavez (3-1) notched the victory with one inning of scoreless relief.
In the second game, the Power's Danny Collins tripled in a pair of runs in the first and Eric Weiss and Edwin Espinal each drove in a run in the third to give West Virginia a 4-1 edge after three innings. Justin Maffei singled in Chris Diaz in the fifth to extend the Power lead to 5-1.
West Virginia's Felipe Gonzalez (1-2) pitched five innings, allowing one run on three hits. In the seventh, Kannapolis loaded the bases against Power reliever Yhonathan Barrios before Brett McKinney entered to close the game. After a run scored on a wild pitch, McKinney recorded consecutive outs for his first save of the season. Kannapolis' Tyler Barnette (0-1) took the loss after allowing five runs, all earned, on eight hits in four innings.
The win snapped an eight-game losing streak for West Virginia. The Power and Intimidators will play another doubleheader today, with the first pitch scheduled for 10:05 a.m. The Power remains on the remains on the road through Monday and begins a three-game homestand on May 7 against Savannah.