From staff reports
David Thomas (Catawba) is off to a fine start as the leadoff hitter and center fielder for the Kane County Cougars of the Class A Midwest League.
The switch-hitter had four hits in Kane County’s first two games. He climbed the wall to make a spectacular catch in Thursday’s opener against Peoria and stole third base twice Friday.
Thomas, 22, whacked 18 doubles for Vancouver in short-season A ball last summer and was named team MVP after being drafted by Oakland. The Ledford product was an All-American at Catawba.
n Jerry Sands (Dodgers), a slugging outfielder who was also team MVP in his minor league debut last summer, and right-handed pitcher Tim Smith (Mets) are still in extended spring training.
Sands, 21, is expected to be assigned to Class A Ogden in the Pioneer League when the Raptors start play in June. He had 10 homers, 33 RBIs and 29 walks in 46 games in rookie ball.
Smith, 22, was 2-1 in his pro debut. He will likely be assigned to the Brooklyn Cyclones in the New York-Penn League in June.
n New Britain’s Zach Ward (A.L. Brown) pitched 21/3 innings out of the bullpen and allowed one hit and an unearned run in a 5-0 Double A loss against New Hampshire on Friday.
n Friday’s scheduled SAL game between the Kannapolis Intimidators and Asheville Tourists was rained out. The teams will play two tonight, with the first pitch at 6 p.m.
Gates at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium will open at 5 p.m.
The Intimidators Baseball and BBQ Bash is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. Fireworks will take place after the conclusion of the second of two seven-inning contests. The first 1,000 fans receive magnet schedules.
Call (704) 932-3267 for tickets.n Charlotte beat Gwinnett 1-0 in a Triple A game Friday. Wes Whisler won the rain-shortened game. Jo Jo Reyes, who has seen considerable time with Atlanta, took the loss.
n Major Leagues
Bobby Parnell (East Rowan) allowed one run and three hits while pitching the seventh inning for the New York Mets in a 5-4 loss against Florida.
Parnell, appearing for the third straight day, retired the first two batters he faced. Emilio Bonifacio reached on a bunt single, and John Baker also singled. Hanley Ramirez knocked in a run with a single, and Jorge Cantu fouled out to the catcher with runners on second and third.
Parnell has an ERA of 3.86.
n College baseball
Catawba held a 5-3 lead against Lenoir-Rhyne on Friday at Newman Park when weather halted the contest. The teams will pick up in the bottom of the fifth today at 1 p.m. Then they’ll play a seven-inning contest.
The third game is now scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m.
n Three North Rowan graduates were instrumental in Wilkes Community College’s 10-4, 8-3 sweep of Lenoir CC.
Andy Smith was the winning pitcher in relief in the opener. Jason Ridenhour had two hits.
In the second game, Ridenhour pitched six strong innings and Jacob Dobbins had two hits.
Cy Young (East Rowan) is expected to pitch for Wilkes (23-7) today.
n North Carolina’s Kyle Seager (Northwest Cabarrus) was 2-for-3 in a 3-2 loss against Florida State on Friday.
n Belmont’s Daniel Wagner (South Rowan) had two hits in a 14-7 loss to Campbell on Friday.
n Prep baseball
Northwest Cabarrus beat Statesville 9-3 on Thursday. Graham Lawing won on the mound.
Jordan Phillips had three hits and three RBIs for the Trojans, while Corey Seager had two hits and knocked in two runs.
n North Rowan has rescheduled a pair of CCC games. The Cavaliers have moved a game against West Davidson to Tuesday and will play a makeup game at Lexington on Thursday.
n College softball
Catawba swept a SAC twin bill from Tusculum on Friday.
Ryann Baker (East Rowan) was 2-for-2 in a 2-0 win in the opener. Chelsea Wallace (8-2) pitched a one-hitter.
Baker, a senior catcher, homered as Catawba rolled 7-0 in the nightcap. It was her 10th of the season. Alli Justice knocked in four runs for the Indians (20-16, 7-5). Carly Sabat had two hits. Meghan Cobb pitched a three-hitter.
n College track
Appalachian State’s Phillip Bush (North Rowan) was fifth in the long jump and seventh in both the 110 hurdles (15.16 seconds) and 200 dash (22.05) in the recent Beach vs. Mountains Meet at Western Carolina. Bush ran on a fourth-place 4×100 team.n Western’s Ryan Pless (East Rowan) was third in the shot put, fifth in the hammer throw and eighth in the discus.
n Western’s Wayne Parker (East) was fifth in the javelin.
n Western’s Daniel Joseph (NWC) won the triple jump and was eighth in the high jump.