Early Runs, Steady Pitching Leads Kannapolis to Series Opener Win against Shorebirds

Fitzwater Drives in Two in First, Five Ballers Put up Multiple Hits Tuesday

By Dan Helotie | Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

September 1, 2026

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. – INF Grayson Fitzwater drove in two runs in the first inning for the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers in the bottom of the first Tuesday, helping the home side down the Delmarva Shorebirds, 6-2, at Atrium Health Ballpark. RHP Gabriel Rodriguez put up 3.2 scoreless innings in his final

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. – INF Grayson Fitzwater drove in two runs in the first inning for the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers in the bottom of the first Tuesday, helping the home side down the Delmarva Shorebirds, 6-2, at Atrium Health Ballpark.

RHP Gabriel Rodriguez put up 3.2 scoreless innings in his final appearance of the season, walking one and striking out three. Despite allowing one run on four hits in three innings, RHP Fidel Montero earned his second win of the season in his fourth appearance with Kannapolis. RHP Daniel Wright and LHP Jordan Morales combined to keep Delmarva off the basepaths, helping the Ballers stay in front.

Fitzwater’s two-RBI single put the Cannon Ballers in front, 2-0, in the first inning, helping Kannapolis score first yet again. Alexander Albertus anchored a larger lead in the bottom of the fourth, popping out in foul territory, but drawing a throwing error from the first baseman to allow Clay Burdette to score and make it, 3-0, Kannapolis after four.

Delmarva broke through for their first run of the game in the top of the fifth inning, inching closer at, 5-1, with a Jhomnardo Reyes RBI groundout to score Joshua Liranzo.

The Ballers did not give up so quickly, adding runs in the seventh and eighth on yet another throwing error in the seventh that permitted Jaden Fauske to score, coupled quickly after by an RBI groundout in the eighth by Fauske to go in front, 6-1, after eight.

With their backs against the wall and down to their final strike, Orioles top prospect Eric Booth Jr. came through with an RBI single for the Shorebirds in the ninth. The poked groundball allowed Hector Campusano to score, marking the first run allowed by Morales since early August.

The Ballers go for a pair of victories to open their final week of games in the 2026 season in Wednesday’s night contest with the Delmarva Shorebirds, Single-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m., with RHP Truman Pauley scheduled for his projected final start of 2026.

Fans can learn more about season ticket memberships, mini plans, group outings, and hospitality packages for the 2027 season by visiting kcballers.com, calling (704) 932-3267 or emailing [email protected] for more information.