GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Kannapolis Intimidators (4-3, 32-43) were dominant both at the plate and in the field behind Taylor Varnell’s (W, 4-3) gem, beating the Greenville Drive (5-2, 37-40) 8-0 on Wednesday night.

Johan Cruz continued his series hit streak with a double in the top of the second inning to score Corey Zangari to put Kannapolis up 1-0. The very next batter, Michael Hickman, singled to score Cruz and give Kannapolis a 2-0 lead.

In the top of the fifth, a wild pitch from Greenville scored Ian Dawkins to extend the Intimidators lead to 3-0.

One inning later, in the top of the sixth, Kannapolis tripled their lead to 6-0. Cruz doubled again, this time with the bases loaded, to score Bryce Bush, Corey Zangari and Romy Gonzalez.

Varnell’s day came to an end after six innings. He gave up no hits, no runs, and tallied six strikeouts. Devon Perez came in for relief over the last three innings and gave up just two hits. The Intimidators had a no-hitter through seven innings.

Zangari hit a sac fly in the top of the seventh to score Lenyn Sosa and give Kannapolis a touchdown lead over Greenville. Cruz’s big day wasn’t over yet as he also hit a sac fly in the same inning to score Alex Destino and give Kannapolis an 8-0 lead. The RBI was his fifth of the night.

This was Kannapolis’ second shutout of the second half of the season.

The Intimidators will travel to West Virginia to take on the Power in a four-game series starting Thursday. Kannapolis will send RHP Jason Bilous to the mound for Thursday’s opener at Appalachain Power Park.