Howlers Stun Kannapolis with Gabriel Rodriguez Walk Off

Gabriel Rodriguez went from goat to hero with a walk-off single in the tenth inning, securing the 7-6 winner over the Kannapolis CannonBallers on Tuesday night.

Despite a slow start, Ryan Prager bounced back and pitched a solid 4.2 innings of work, allowing just one earned run. The Howlers went hitless from the sixth inning until the walk-off in the tenth, giving them their 20th win of the second half.

In a slow first inning, Kannapolis got on the board first. Matthew Boughten was able to score after Stiven Flores found himself in a rundown between first and second, being called safe after a near tag at second.

Hill City was not deterred as they followed quickly in the bottom of the frame. An RBI single from Reiner Herrera tied the game at one before a wild pitch brought home Lucas Moore for the 2-1 Howler lead.

Alexander Albertus led off the second inning for the CannonBallers with a solo home run to knot the game at two.

In the bottom of the frame, Lucas Moore drove home his first professional RBI as he drove home Yeiferth Castillo with a single, giving Hill city the 3-2 lead.

In the fourth, the Howlers extended their lead slightly as Johan Rodriguez drove home Erick Dessens, providing a two run cushion. Hill City added to their lead in the fifth as Herrera knocked in a run with a single up the middle that caught the pitcher on the way by, creating a 5-2 lead.

An RBI double for Alejandro Garza in the sixth brought home Castillo from first with two outs in the frame, pushing the lead to four.

Kannapolis began to scratch back in the seventh as Efrin Teran doubled home a run. He scored himself later in the frame on a Jaden Fauske single to right-center, making it a 6-4 game.

In the ninth, Kannapolis tied it up with their backs against the wall. A throwing error by the Howlers allowed two runs to score on a grounder by Fauske to even the game at six.

Kannapolis was held scoreless in the top of the tenth inning as Javi Torres came on for the frame and pitched a gem.

With two outs in the bottom of the tenth, the go-ahead runner stood on third for the Howlers. The CannonBallers intentionally walked Johan Rodriguez to face Gabriel Rodriguez, who was hitless on the night and delivered the error that tied the game in the ninth to force extras.

Rodriguez, facing a reliever in Grant Cleavinger who had only allowed four base-runners in his previous eleven appearances, stepped in to steal the victory. His line drive to left field sealed the deal and sent the Howlers faithful home happy.

The walk-off for Hill City was their ninth of the season.

Kannapolis and the Howlers will battle again on Wednesday evening at City Stadium with first pitch at 6:30 p.m. at City Stadium. Tickets are available at hchowlers.com.