Gladney Hits Two Home Runs, Kelley Shuts Down Fireflies Bats in Kannapolis’ 9-0 Shutout Win Sunday

July 31, 2022

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. – After the majority of the first half of Sunday’s series finale resulted in a pitcher’s duel, the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers exploded for nine runs, four home runs, and a grand total of 13 hits in a 9-0 win over the Columbia Fireflies at Atrium Health Ballpark. With

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. – After the majority of the first half of Sunday’s series finale resulted in a pitcher’s duel, the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers exploded for nine runs, four home runs, and a grand total of 13 hits in a 9-0 win over the Columbia Fireflies at Atrium Health Ballpark.

With the win, Kannapolis moves back into first place in the Carolina League South Division with a half game lead on the Fireflies.

RHP Jared Kelley (W, 1-4) had a career day on the mound, earning his first professional victory. The righty from Refugio, Texas earned a career-high eight strikeouts in five shutout innings, allowing one hit and walking two. RHP Jesus Valles followed up on Kelley’s masterful outing with three shutout innings of his own, walking one and striking out five.

It took until the bottom of the fifth for either team to break through, but DJ Gladney began his big day at the plate with a two-run home run into left field, scoring Andy Atwood to give the Ballers a 2-0 lead.

Kannapolis unloaded on Fireflies pitching in the bottom of the seventh, earning six runs on six hits. Gladney’s second home run of the season pushed the home team ahead even more at 4-0, scoring Wes Kath. Later in the inning, Logan Glass tallied an RBI in his second consecutive game with a sacrifice fly to score Wilfred Veras. Finally, Nick Thornquist made his presence felt with a three-run home run into left field, giving the Ballers a huge lead at 8-0.

Wilfred Veras added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth inning, unloading on a fastball and hitting the batter’s eye in center field for a solo home run. Veras’ sixteenth home run of the season extended Kannapolis’ lead to 9-0.

The Ballers will take a well-deserved day off on Monday before going on the road for a week to Zebulon for a six-game set with the Carolina Mudcats, Low-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. Kannapolis returns home for a six-game series with the Salem Red Sox, Low-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, August 9-14 at Atrium Health Ballpark.

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.