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Kannapolis Outlasted in Tough Friday Night Loss to Myrtle Beach 10-4

June 25, 2022

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. – In the first game of the second half of the Carolina League season, the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers struggled to find momentum in all areas of their game, dropping Friday night’s action with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans 10-4 at Atrium Health Ballpark. RHP Noah Owen (L, 3-7) tossed

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. – In the first game of the second half of the Carolina League season, the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers struggled to find momentum in all areas of their game, dropping Friday night’s action with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans 10-4 at Atrium Health Ballpark.

RHP Noah Owen (L, 3-7) tossed a rough start on the mound for the Ballers, lasting five innings, allowing five runs on six hits, walking four and striking out three. LHP Haylen Green relieved Owen in the sixth, throwing two innings, allowing three hits, two runs, two walks, and striking out two.

Ezequiel Pagan and the Pelicans began the scoring on the night in the top of the first inning, tallying an RBI single to score Reivaj Garcia. Pagan’s hot start to the series gave Myrtle Beach a 1-0 lead early.

Josue Huma and James Triantos added more offense for Myrtle Beach in the second, grabbing runs on a Huma RBI single and Triantos reaching on an error. The two runs extended the Pelicans lead to 3-0.

Kannapolis got on the board in the bottom of the second with a Colby Smelley RBI double, scoring Wilfred Veras to make it 3-1. The Ballers picked up another run in the bottom of the third on a wild pitch from Pelicans starter RHP Tyler Schlaffer, scoring Wes Kath from third to pull the Ballers closer at 3-2.

Kevin Made pushed the Pelicans ahead again in the top of the fourth with a two-run home run to make it 5-2, advantage Myrtle Beach.

The game stayed relatively quiet until the sixth when Wilber Sanchez added an RBI single that scored Veras and Samil Polanco, making it 5-4 Kannapolis.

From the seventh inning on, the Pelicans took advantage of the Ballers bullpen, scoring in each of the final three innings to double their runs tally. Matt Warkentin crushed his first hit of the night in the seventh, an RBI double that scored Felix Stevens and Pagan.

Stevens counted an RBI of his own in the eighth, scoring Huma on a groundout to make it 8-4. In the ninth inning, the pair of Huma and Triantos came in clutch again with RBI singles to grow the Myrtle Beach lead to 10-4.

Kannapolis will battle the Pelicans in the fifth of six matchups this week on Saturday night at Atrium Health Ballpark. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. RHP Jared Kelley (0-3, 4.68 ERA) will get the start for the Ballers, with Myrtle Beach tossing Charlotte, N.C. native LHP Luke Little (1-2, 2.45 ERA) onto the mound. Postgame fireworks are in the plans for Saturday night’s game for all fans to enjoy.

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.