Kris Honel didn't figure in the decision last night, but he was a gem on the diamond.

Honel, a one-shot call-up from the Kannapolis Intimidators, went 51/3 strong innings as Winston-Salem held off Kinston 5-4 in the Warthogs' season home finale at Ernie Shore Field.

Designated hitter Casey Rogowski hit a two-run homer, and catcher Ryan Sienko followed with a solo shot as Winston-Salem took a 4-3 lead in the sixth inning. Second baseman Andrew Salvo doubled home outfielder Normand Martel to make it 5-3 in the bottom of the seventh.

But the Indians, the leaders of the Carolina League's Southern Division at 37-29, battled back. Kinston made it 5-4 as third baseman Corey Smith doubled off Josh Fields to lead off the top of the eighth, and Henry Pichardo doubled him in two batters later.

Kinston made one final rally off Fields in the ninth. After one out, shortstop Hector Luna walked, and second baseman Joe Inglett blooped a single to left. Fields coaxed two popups to the outfield to save the Warthogs from a sweep of the four-game series with the Indians.

"It was a real good game, really exciting," said Manager Razor Shines of the Warthogs. "Honel had a great game. He was voted the best pitcher in the South Atlantic League, and tonight the fans in Winston-Salem got to see what the kid can do. He's a terrific pitcher."

Honel, a 6-5, 200-pound 19-year-old, struck out eight batters, allowed three hits and two runs (one earned), and walked three.

"I used the same game plan I had in Kannapolis, but the outcome was better than I expected," said Honel, the first-round draft pick, 16th overall, of the Chicago White Sox in 2001. "I'm ecstatic."

Honel said he was nervous going in.

"It was going to be my last start of the season, so whatever happened, happened," he said. "I figured I'd leave it all out on the field, and I did. And I had a positive outcome."

Honel and the Warthogs took a 1-0 lead in the fourth as Spencer Oborn singled, stole second and scored on a double down the left-field line by Eric Welsh.

But the Indians finally got to Honel in the sixth. After an out, Tyler Minges singled and stole second, and Corey Smith walked.

Shines brought in reliever Royce Ring, and Kinston manager Ted Kubiak called a double steal. Sienko's throw got past third base, and Minges scored to make it 1-1.

A walk put a second runner on base, and Jorge Moreno singled in two runs to make it 3-1, Indians.

In the bottom of the sixth, Welsh walked with one out, and Rogowski slammed a two-run home run to right. Sienko greeted new pitcher Doug Lantz (4-2) with a shot to dead center to give the Warthogs a 4-3 lead.

Ring (2-0) gave up two hits and one earned run, walked one and struck out one in 12/3 innings. Fields pitched two innings and got his fourth save.

Winston-Salem (22-44) will finish the season with a four-game series at Frederick. The Warthogs are set to start Frank Francisco (9-6, 6.75 ERA) today against the Keys' Richard Bartlett (5-10, 5.65).

Honel, meanwhile, headed back to Kannapolis last night to watch his team finish the season. He figures he may not be an Intimidator next year.

"Yeah, I think I'm ready to move up," he said. "I feel ready to pitch at any level. Hey, I'm a confident kid. I'll believe that until they prove otherwise."

KINSTONabrhbiW-Sabrhbi

Rqna cf5010Yan 2b3000

Luna ss4000Oborn cf4110

Ingltt dh4010Welsh 1b3111

Minges rf5120Rgwski dh3112

Smith 3b4210Sienko c3111

Mrton 1b 3100Aspito, rf3010

Pchrdo dh4011Crdnna ph1000

Mreno lf3012Nchlsn 3b3000

Dpippo c4010Matel lf3110

Salvo ss3011

Totals36483Totals29575

Kinston000003010-481Winston-Salem00010310X-572

E- DePippo, Yan, Sienko; LOB - Kinston 10, W-S 5; 2B - Requena, Smith, Pichardo, DePippo, Welsh, Martel; HR - Rogowski, Sienko; SB - Minges 2, Smith, Oborn, Caradonna; CS - Aspito.

KinstonIPHRERBBSO

Thompson5 1/333327

Lantz, L (4-2)1 2/342201

Matheny100012

Winston-SalemIPHRERBBSO

Honel5 1/332138

Ring, W (2-0)1 2/321111

Fields, S (4)231113

HBP -by Thompson (Sienko); T - 2:51; A - 1805.