Kannapolis Falls 8-5 in Series Opener to Myrtle Beach Tuesday

June 22, 2022

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. – Despite outhitting the Myrtle Beach Pelicans in the series opener, the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers could not survive an offensive outburst, falling 8-5 Tuesday night at Atrium Health Ballpark. LHP Brooks Gosswein began the evening on the mound for Kannapolis, tossing four innings, allowing three runs on seven

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. – Despite outhitting the Myrtle Beach Pelicans in the series opener, the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers could not survive an offensive outburst, falling 8-5 Tuesday night at Atrium Health Ballpark.

LHP Brooks Gosswein began the evening on the mound for Kannapolis, tossing four innings, allowing three runs on seven hits, allowing three walks, and five strikeouts. RHP Zach Cable (L, 0-2) relieved Gosswein in the fifth, allowing four runs on two hits, walking one, and striking out one.

Myrtle Beach wasted no time in opening the scoring, striking first on a solo shot from Josue Huma, the first batter of the ballgame, to lead 1-0. Later in the inning, Matt Warkentin added an RBI single, scoring Kevin Made to put the Pelicans ahead 2-0.

Malcom Quintero joined in on the fun in the top of the second, crushing a solo shot to push Myrtle Beach ahead 3-0.

Kannapolis got on the board in the bottom of the second inning with a Wilfred Veras solo home run to left field, making it a 3-1 ballgame.

Wes Kath tied the game in the bottom of the third with his eighth home run of the season, scoring James Beard to knot the matchup at 3-3.

DJ Gladney completed the comeback in the bottom of the fifth, giving Kannapolis the lead with an RBI triple, scoring Colson Montgomery to put the Ballers ahead 4-3.

The Pelicans did not stay on the losing end of the game for long, exploding for five runs in the top of the six-inning. Made tallied two RBI with one swing of the bat on an RBI double, giving Myrtle Beach a 5-4 lead. After Made’s RBI double, James Triantos crushed a three-run shot to left-center, giving the Pelicans insurance runs and an 8-4 advantage.

Wilber Sanchez added a run late with an RBI single to score Colby Smelley, but the Ballers could not complete the comeback attempt, falling 8-5 in the series opener.

The Cannon Ballers and the Pelicans are back in action in the second of six matchups between the two sides on Wednesday night. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m. RHP Jesus Valles (1-0, 9.00 ERA) will get the nod for Kannapolis on the mound, with Myrtle Beach sending RHP Porter Hodge (4-2, 2.76 ERA) to the bump.

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.