Intimidators roll past Columbia

Cleuluis Rondon tripled, doubled and drove in four runs as Kannapolis defeated Columbia 7-2 on Saturday at Spirit Communications Park to even the series at 1-1.

The Fireflies (13-10) got on the board in the second when Milton Ramos singled in Dash Winningham to give Columbia 1-0 lead.

However, Kannapolis jumped back in the top of the third. Rondon tripled to right to score Bradley Strong. Rondon then scored when Landon Lassiter reached base on an error by third baseman David Thompson.

The Intimidators (9-14) opened it up in the top of the fourth. Rondon doubled to score Antonio Rodriguez, Micker Adolfo and Strong, putting Kannapolis up 5-1.

Columbia cut it to 5-2 in the eighth on a solo home run to left by Ivan Wilson.

Kannapolis tacked on two runs in the ninth when Bradley Strong scored after Tyler Sullivan reached base on a throwing error by Ramos. Sullivan later scored on a single by Corey Zangari.

Zach Thompson (1-2) picked up the win, giving up two hits and one run in six innings.

Tyler Badamo took the loss, giving up five hits, five runs – four earned – in seven innings.