Intimidators drop Game 1 after late innings go awry

After taking a two-run lead in the first inning of Game 1 of the 2018 SAL Northern Division Championship Series, the Intimidators gave up a pair of runs in the ninth inning to drop the series opener.

Maybe it was a bit of postseason nerves for starting pitcher Zach Lewis, but after recording an out on the first batter of the game he gave up a single to left field and walked a batter to put two on with one out. Lewis would then get a fly out to left field and strike out Lakewood’s Jhailyn Ortiz to end the inning and get out of jam.

In the bottom of the first, the nerves bit Lakewood starter Andrew Brown even harder, as with one out he hit Luis Curbelo with a pitch. Then, Steele Walker stepped…