Kannapolis Stumbles in Shutout Loss Saturday against Augusta

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. – Two arms from the Augusta GreenJackets combined to allow just six baserunners all night for the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, who fell, 6-0, for their second loss in a row Saturday night at Atrium Health Ballpark.

With the loss for Kannapolis and win for Augusta, the two sides meet at 4-4 on the season, locked in the heated battle of the Carolina League South division race.

LHP Lucas Gordon set season highs for Kannapolis starters with six innings and nine strikeouts, allowing two runs on three hits with one walk. RHP Nick Altermatt entered in relief in the seventh, allowing two runs on two hits, striking out two.

OF Kade Kern had a big night for Augusta, driving in the first two runs with a solo home run in the top of the third and and an RBI single in the top of the fifth, pushing Augusta’s lead to, 2-0, after the first half of the game.

Altermatt’s two runs allowed in the seventh inning came from a Luis Sanchez RBI single followed by Sanchez later scoring on a passed ball by Ballers C Luis Pineda, pushing the GreenJackets lead to, 4-0, after seven frames.

Diego Benitez reached on a fielder’s choice in the top of the eighth, allowing Isaiah Drake to score and extend Augusta’s lead to, 5-0, after eight. Finally, Alexander Martinez drove in the sixth and final run of the GreenJackets night in the ninth with an RBI groundout.

The Ballers will look to clinch the series victory in the series finale of the six game homestand on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is set for 1:30 p.m., with RHP Jake Bockenstedt taking the mound for Kannapolis.

Fans can purchase tickets for Sunday’s game or any remaining home games at kcballers.com or at the F&M Bank Box Office located at Atrium Health Ballpark.