Grady's Two-Run Double Lifts GreenJackets Over Cannon Ballers to Even Series

May 22, 2024 - Carolina League (CarL)
Augusta GreenJackets News Release

Augusta GreenJackets' Jace Grady at bat
(Augusta GreenJackets)

In an increasingly common occurrence this season, the game started with a pitcher's duel, as Augusta received a great outing from its starter but could not muster much offense against his counterpart. Luis Vargas and Jake Peppers went toe to toe and both were stellar across lengthy starts. Vargas threw five innings with a career-high 12 strikeouts, running his fastball up to 98 and mixing in a stealthy slider to keep Cannon Baller hitters guessing. Peppers worked into the 7th for the first time in his pro career, changing speeds and using a fantastic pickoff move to keep the 'Jackets at bay.

The GreenJackets scored in the first inning for the first time this homestand, plating two against Peppers without producing a hit. Peppers began the game with 9 straight balls, walking Isaiah Drake and Jace Grady to begin the day. A wild pitch moved both up 90 feet, and Drake would score on a shallow sac fly from Drew Compton, beating the throw from shortstop Ryan Burrowes. Grady came home on a Will Verdung groundout, setting the scene early.

Vargas had his swing and miss stuff working early, showing previously untouched velocity and holding 96 late into the game, peaking at 98 in the second trip through the order. Kannapolis would not the game, however, on a two run double from Ryan Galanie that scored Wilber Sanchez and Rikuu Nishida with two outs in the third. Vargas would go 5 innings for the second straight start, settling back into the rotation after beginning the year in the bullpen.

Three pitches after Vargas departed, Kannapolis took their first lead of the night. Reliever Adel Dilone received a rude greeting from Galanie, who crushed a hanging cutter over the wall in left-center field to make the game 3-2. With some assistance from his defense, paced by Isaiah Drake in center, Dilone would right the ship and turn in 3 solid innings with no further issues to set the stage for the 8th inning.

Augusta threatened occasionally across the night against Peppers, but two pickoffs from the starter negated those rally early. When Peppers was replaced by Nick Altermatt with two on in the 7th, Altermatt continued the trend, striking out Kade Kern and picking off both Luis Sanchez and Diego Benitez at second base to keep the Cannon Ballers in front.

Augusta took control in the 8th beginning with an error, as a hard grounder to third escaped the glove of Arxy Hernandez to put Harry Owen at first as the tying run. Drake roped a single to center to put the go-ahead run on, and Owen was subsequently replaced with a pinch runner in the form of Robert Gonzalez. Grady came to the dish with a chance to be a hero, and he delivered, throttling a fastball to deep right-center field to score both Gonzalez and Drake and give Augusta the lead.

Zack Austin was summoned to close the game, looking for his first of the season. Austin did not make it easy, as a walk and hit by pitch but the tying and go ahead runs on base, but Austin forced Ryan Burrowes to pop out to right field to end the game. Dilone improved to 3-1 with the win, while Altermatt fell to 2-2. Austin earned his first save of 2024 and 2nd of his career to even the series at one apiece. Davis Polo and Aldrin Batista will be the respective starters tomorrow night, as Augusta takes the field as the Pavos Salvajes de Augusta for the 2nd time this year.

Augusta GreenJackets' Jace Grady at bat

Carolina League Stories from May 22, 2024

• Freddies Level Series Behind Big Bats - Fredericksburg Nationals
• Down East Evens Series with Early Barrage - Charleston RiverDogs
• Pecko Shines, Offense Explodes as Woodpeckers Even Series in Salem - Fayetteville Woodpeckers
• Mudcats Soar Past Pelicans - Carolina Mudcats
• Birds Bounced by Mudcats 14-8 - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
• Grady's Two-Run Double Lifts GreenJackets Over Cannon Ballers to Even Series - Augusta GreenJackets
• Delmarva Homers Three Times in Come-From-Behind Win - Delmarva Shorebirds
• Back-And-Forth Game Ends in 6-5 Loss - Columbia Fireflies
• Columbia Fireflies Game Notes 5.22 at Delmarva - Columbia Fireflies
• Fireworks with the SC Philharmonic Returns to Segra Park - Columbia Fireflies
• Sox Walk-Off in Trilling Extra Inning Game - Salem Red Sox

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Augusta GreenJackets Stories

• Atlanta Braves to Bring Braves Country Road Trip to SRP Park Tonight
• GreenJackets Homestand Preview 6/17-6/22
• Jackets Take Two in Twin Bill with Birds
• Guerra's Two Homers Power Augusta over Columbia
• GreenJackets' Series Finale vs Crawdads Canceled Due to Rain