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Carolina Drops Second Straight 3-2 in Kannapolis

Logan Henderson struck out seven over three innings in Saturday’s loss
May 20, 2023

Carolina Mudcats 2 @ Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 3 May 20, 2023 | Venue: Atrium Health Ballpark | First pitch: 7:03 PM | T: 2:08 | Att: 4,819 | Box Score CAR: 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 6 0 KAN: 1 0 0 1 0 0

Carolina Mudcats 2 @ Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 3
May 20, 2023 | Venue: Atrium Health Ballpark | First pitch: 7:03 PM | T: 2:08 | Att: 4,819 | Box Score

CAR: 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 6 0
KAN: 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 x 3 4 1

WP: Manuel Veloz (3 - 0) LP: Tyler Wehrle (2 - 2) SV: Eric Adler (1)

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. - Jheremy Vargas went 2-for-3 with a RBI double in the second, Blayberg Diaz totaled two hits for the third time in his last four games and starter Logan Henderson struck out seven over three innings, but the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers rallied late to defeat the Carolina Mudcats 3-2 on Saturday night in Kannapolis.

The Cannon Ballers (21-16) struck first when Jordan Sprinkle walked to start the first before scoring on a groundout from Tim Elko. That first inning run was all that Henderson allowed in his start as he worked through the third with a run, a hit, two walks and seven strikeouts. The start was his second since returning to the Mudcats (21-16) on May 8.

The Mudcats went on to tie the game at 1-1 with Vargas’ RBI double in the second, but Kannapolis later took the lead again with a run off reliever Tyler Wehrle in the fourth. Carolina locked it up again at 2-2 in the fifth when Vargas scored on an error, but Sprinkle answered with a go-ahead single in the seventh to give Kannapolis the 3-2 lead.

Wehrle (L, 2-2) allowed both Kannapolis runs in the fourth and seventh and ended up taking the loss. In all, Wehrle pitched through five innings with two runs allowed on three hits. He also walked two and struck out three in the loss.

The loss was Carolina’s second straight. It also dropped them into a 3-3 series tie with Kannapolis. Sunday’s finale will determine the winner of the series and is scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m. at Atrium Health Ballpark.

The Mudcats next return home on Tuesday, May 23 when they begin a six-game homestand versus the Down East Wood Ducks at Five County Stadium. Carolina’s next homestand will feature Starry Taco Tuesday, Winslow Homes Winning Wednesday, Bark in the Park and Micro Brews Thirsty Thursday™, CBS 17 Friday Night Fireworks, AgCarolina Farm Credit Union Souvenir Saturday featuring a souvenir AgNight themed hat, and WakeMed Five County Family Sunday with $7.00 Box Seat tickets and on-field post-game catch.

TOP PERFORMERS - BATTERS:
Vargas, 3B (Carolina): 2-for-3, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI
Diaz, C (Carolina): 2-for-3
Chirinos, DH (Carolina): 1-for-4, 1 R
Sprinkle, SS (Kannapolis): 1-for-3, 1 R, 1 RBI
Baldwin, DH (Kannapolis): 1-for-4, 1 2B
Glass, LF (Kannapolis): 1-for-2, 1 R, 1 RBI

TOP PERFORMERS - PITCHERS:
Henderson (Carolina): 3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 SO
Pallette (Kannapolis): 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO
Veloz (W, 3-0) (Kannapolis): 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO
Adler (S, 1) (Kannapolis): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO

SCORING:
Cannon Ballers 1st (Cannon Ballers 1, Mudcats 0) -- Jordan Sprinkle walks. Jordan Sprinkle steals 2nd base. Jordan Sprinkle steals 3rd base. Brooks Baldwin pops out to Blayberg Diaz in foul territory. Tim Elko grounds out, Gregory Barrios to Jesus Parra, Jordan Sprinkle scores. Jacob Burke strikes out swinging.
(1 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB)

Mudcats 2nd (Mudcats 1, Cannon Ballers 1) -- Jesus Chirinos singles to shallow left field. Kay-Lan Nicasia strikes out swinging. Wild pitch by Peyton Pallette, Jesus Chirinos to 2nd. Gregory Barrios pops out to Tim Elko. Jheremy Vargas doubles to right-center field, Jesus Chirinos scores. Jesus Parra flies out to Jacob Burke.
(1 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors, 1 LOB)

Cannon Ballers 4th (Cannon Ballers 2, Mudcats 1) -- Pitcher Change: Tyler Wehrle replaces Logan Henderson. Jacob Burke walks. Bryce Willits grounds out, Jesus Parra to Tyler Wehrle, Jacob Burke to 2nd. Troy Claunch lines out to Daniel Guilarte. Logan Glass singles through the hole at shortstop, Jacob Burke scores. Johnabiell Laureano grounds into a force out, Gregory Barrios to Daniel Guilarte, Logan Glass out at 2nd.
(1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors, 1 LOB)

Mudcats 5th (Mudcats 2, Cannon Ballers 2) -- Pitcher Change: Manuel Veloz replaces Peyton Pallette. Jheremy Vargas singles up the middle. Jheremy Vargas advances to 2nd on a balk. Jesus Parra struck out looking. Blayberg Diaz grounds out, Tim Elko to Manuel Veloz, Jheremy Vargas to 3rd. Luis Lara reaches on fielding error by Tim Elko, Jheremy Vargas scores. Luis Lara caught stealing 2nd base, Troy Claunch to Wilber Sanchez.
(1 Runs, 1 Hits, 1 Errors, 0 LOB)

Cannon Ballers 7th (Cannon Ballers 3, Mudcats 2) -- Defensive switch from left field to right field for Jace Avina. Defensive Substitution: Hedbert Perez replaces right fielder Kay-Lan Nicasia, batting 5th, playing left field. Logan Glass walks. Johnabiell Laureano grounds out, Jheremy Vargas to Jesus Parra, Logan Glass to 2nd. Wilber Sanchez flies out to Hedbert Perez. Jordan Sprinkle singles to right-center field, Logan Glass scores. Brooks Baldwin flies out to Luis Lara.
(1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors, 1 LOB)