Pitching Matchup Crumbles into 7-0 Loss for Kannapolis against Red Sox Saturday

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. – Despite keeping the Red Sox off the scoreboard early, the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers fell in Saturday’s matchup with Salem in a 7-0 loss at Atrium Health Ballpark.

RHP Hunter Dollander (L, 3-3) tossed 90 pitches in 5.2 innings, allowing three hits, two runs, three walks, and six strikeouts. RHP Angel Acevedo relieved Dollander in the sixth, throwing 2.1 innings, allowing four runs on five hits, walking one and striking out four.

Salem’s starting arm in RHP Wikelman Gonzalez (W, 4-3) delivered a masterful outing against the Ballers, throwing 6.0 no-hit innings, keeping Kannapolis off the scoreboard while the Red Sox rallied for runs in the second half of Saturday’s game.

Karson Simas began the night of offense for the Red Sox, tallying an RBI single in the top of the fifth to put Salem ahead 1-0. Eddinson Paulino quickly followed in the top of the sixth with a solo home run to right center field, pushing the Red Sox ahead 2-0.

The good times kept going for the visitors, with Kier Meredith tallying his first RBI of the night in the top of the seventh on an RBI single.

Saturday’s game fell apart for the Ballers in the top of the eighth inning, with Salem adding three runs. Daniel McElveny kicked off the frame with an RBI single, followed by Yorberto Mejicano scoring on a wild pitch. Finally, Johnfrank Salazar notched an RBI single to extend the Red Sox’ advantage to 6-0 late.

Meredith’s great night at the plate continued in the top of the ninth, lining his first home run of the season into the right field corner for a 7-0 Salem lead, which the Ballers could not come back from.

Kannapolis and Salem will complete the six-game set on Sunday afternoon in the series finale, with RHP Jared Kelley getting the start for the Ballers for the 1:00 p.m. first pitch.

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.