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CarL Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Ballers Complete Comeback in 5-4 Victory over Woodpeckers Saturday

July 24, 2022 - Carolina League (CarL)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


KANNAPOLIS, N.C. - Backed by a solid night of pitching and timely hitting from key contributors, the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers snapped their two-game losing skid Saturday night at Atrium Health Ballpark with a 5-4 win over the Fayetteville Woodpeckers.

RHP Norge Vera proved to be impressive on the mound for Kannapolis early, tossing four shutout innings, allowing just one hit on two walks, striking out seven. The Cuban right-hander has now struck out at least six in each of his last three outings. RHP Angel Acevedo relieved Vera in the fifth inning, allowing four runs on five hits, walking three and striking out two.

Fayetteville opened the scoring in the top of the fifth inning, rattling off three runs in the top of the fifth inning. Yeuris Ramirez started the frame with an RBI double, scoring Jose Alvarez to make it 1-0. Jaxon Hallmark promptly followed with a sacrifice fly to bring home Leosdany Molina, extending the Peckers lead to 2-0. Two batters later, Logan Cerny completed the big inning with an RBI single, scoring Ramirez to grow Fayetteville's lead to 3-0.

The Ballers got on the board in the bottom of the fifth with two runs of their own. Wilber Sanchez swiped second base, allowing Misael Gonzalez to cross the plate on a throwing error by Woodpeckers catcher Jose Alvarez. Later in the inning, Sanchez scored on a Wes Kath sacrifice fly, inching closer at 3-2 in favor of Fayetteville.

Wilfred Veras knotted the game in the bottom of the sixth inning with a moonshot to left field. The 19-year-old crushed his fourteenth home run of the season to tie the game at 3-3. Later in the inning, Misael Gonzalez continued his hot night at the plate with an RBI double, scoring Benyamin Bailey to give Kannapolis their first lead of the night.

Joey Loperfido tallied his second game in a row with a run driven in, scoring Molina on an RBI single in the top of the seventh inning to tie the game yet again at 4-4. Fayetteville had the bases loaded in the inning but failed to take the lead thanks to quality work on the mound from RHP Adisyn Coffey (W, 4-2).

The Cannon Ballers retook the lead and held on in the bottom of the seventh inning with Veras' second run driven in of the night. This time, Veras added an RBI double to left field, scoring Samil Polanco to push the Ballers ahead 5-4 late over the Woodpeckers.

Kannapolis and Fayetteville square off for the final time in 2022 in the series finale on Sunday night. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. RHP Jared Kelley (0-4, 3.64 ERA) gets the start for the Ballers, with the Peckers sending RHP Carlos Calderon to the hill for Sunday's matchup.

Fans can purchase tickets for any upcoming home games at kcballers.com or at the F&M Bank Box Office located at Atrium Health Ballpark.

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Carolina League Stories from July 24, 2022


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