Kannapolis Out Hits Carolina in 11-6 Loss

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. – A combined 14 walks among all pitchers and 14 strikeouts among all batters proved to be the kiss of death for the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers on Saturday night, who dropped their fifth straight matchup with the Carolina Mudcats 11-6.

RHP Chase Solesky (L, 1-4) got the start for the Ballers on the hill, working 1.2 frames and allowing four runs over four hits while walking three and striking out three. RHP Frander Veras relieved Solesky in the second, unable to find much success, allowing three runs on two hits in one inning. The righty from the Dominican Republic also struck out two and walked three.

Carolina opened the scoring in the top of the second, putting up a four-run frame. Ernesto Martinez chopped his way around the bases, reaching on a fielding error while Joey Wiemer crossed the plate. Martinez advanced to second on a wild pitch, stole third, and scored on a throwing error by Ballers catcher Richard Garcia. Later in the inning, Zavier Warren added an RBI single that scored Darrien Miller to make it 3-0 Mudcats. Two batters later, Noah Campbell walked with the bases loaded, closing the book on the third inning at 4-0 in favor of Carolina.

The struggles on the mound continued for Kannapolis on the mound in the top of the third with Andre Nnebe tallying an RBI single to bring Martinez home. RHP Pauly Milto then delivered a wild pitch, giving Miller the opportunity to cross the plate. Campbell closed out the frame with another bases-loaded walk, pulling the Mudcats ahead 7-0.

Kannapolis found life in the bottom of the fourth, getting a two-RBI single to center field off the bat of Lency Delgado Jr. that scored Luis Mieses and Harvin Mendoza, cutting the Carolina lead to 7-2.

Caberea Weaver crept the Ballers closer with an RBI double in the bottom of the fifth, giving Mieses his second run of the season and making it 7-3 in favor of the Mudcats.

LHP Brandon Knarr got the start for Carolina on the mound, going 4.2 frames while allowing four hits, three runs, five walks, and seven punchouts. RHP Miguel Guerrero (W, 4-1) followed in relief, going 1.1 innings while striking out two and allowing one unearned run on three hits.

The good times kept on going for the visitors in the top of the sixth, getting a run on a passed ball by Garcia scored by Ashton McGee. Later in the inning, Martinez crushed a sacrifice fly deep to center field that allowed Campbell to score. Miller got in on the action with a fielder’s choice that scored Wiemer to make it 10-3 Mudcats. RHP Tyson Messer later surrendered a wild pitch that let Miller score, rounding out the big inning with Carolina on top 11-3.

Late-inning heroics happened again in the bottom of the sixth for the Ballers with Samil Polanco notching a sacrifice fly that drove in Richard Garcia, cutting the deficit to 11-4. In the bottom of the ninth, Mendoza corked an RBI double into right field, giving Mieses his third run of the ballgame. Caberea Weaver followed with an RBI double of his own that scored Mendoza from second, pulling the Ballers closer and making it 11-6.

The Cannon Ballers will look to avoid the sweep in the finale of the six-game series with the Mudcats. First pitch is set for 12:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. RHP Angel Acevedo (1-3, 6.55 ERA) will start the ballgame for Kannapolis, while Carolina will send out RHP Miguel Guerrero (3-1, 4.33 ERA).

Tickets can be purchased for any remaining home games at kcballers.com or at the F&M Bank Box Office located at Atrium Health Ballpark.