From wire and staff reports

  LEXINGTON, Ky.  — Michael Hickman hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning, and Andrew Vaughn hit a two-run homer and had two hits as the Kannapolis Intimidators defeated the Lexington Legends 8-0 on Wednesday.

Vaughn was the the third overall pick by the Chicago White Sox in the June draft and is one of the top prospects ever to play in Kannapolis.

Vaughn, who played college ball for California, is batting .350 in 21 games.

The home run by Hickman gave the Intimidators a 5-0 lead and capped a five-run inning for Kannapolis. Earlier in the inning, Corey Zangari hit an RBI double and then scored on a fielder’s choice.

The Intimidators later scored three runs in the seventh to punctuate the blowout.

Kannapolis starter Jason Bilous (3-6) picked up the win after allowing four hits over five scoreless innings. Opposing starter C.J. Eldred (0-3) took the loss in the South Atlantic League game after giving up five runs and seven hits over five innings.

Rubendy Jaquez reached base four times for the Legends. Lexington was held scoreless for the eighth time this season, while the Kannapolis staff recorded its sixth shutout of the year.

Summer baseball

Austin Love (West Rowan, UNC) pitched five shutout innings for the Orleans Firebirds on Monday in the Cape Cod Baseball League.

Love struck out six and got his second win of the summer.

Love is 2-1 with a 1.70 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 20 innings.

Jr. Legion softball

Rowan won against Eastern Randolph 5-1 on Wednesday.

Kori Miller pitched a strong game with three strikeouts. Chloe Shank had a double and knocked in two runs.

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Rowan won 7-3 against Eastern Randolph in the first game of a doubleheader.

Shank drove in two runs to back strong pitching by Phoebe Cole.

Sr. Legion softball

Rowan split Wednesday’s doubleheader with Concord, losing 2-0 and winning 7-0.

Local golf

Nick Lyerly (East Rowan, UNC Greensboro shot 4-over 74 on Wednesday in the first round of the Porter Cup at Niagara Falls Country Club.

Lyerly is tied for 54th.

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In the  70th Carolinas Junior Boys’ Championship at River Landing Country Club in Wallace, Will Fowler (Salisbury) shot 80-81 — 161 in the first two rounds.

The cutline fell at 154.

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The field for the 10th North Carolina Amateur Match Play Tournament at  Catawba Country Club in Newton includes local golfers Michael Childress and Davis Richards.

The tournament is July 31 to Aug. 4.

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The field for the 15th Dogwood State Junior Boys Championship at River Run Country Club in Davidson includes  local golfers Charlie Barr, Austin Miller.

The tournament starts on July 30.

China Grove fall ball

China Grove Youth Sports Fall Baseball/Softball sign-ups are under way and are open through Aug, 25.

Cost is $50 for all ages.

Sign up at Dale’s Sporting Goods in downtown China Grove. Call 704-857-8412 for information.