Shorebirds' Seven-Run Ninth-Inning Rally Falls Just Short in 9-8 Loss to Kannapolis

Shorebirds' Seven-Run Ninth-Inning Rally Falls Just Short in 9-8 Loss to Kannapolis

Cannon Ballers Walk Off Delmarva to Deny Improbable Comeback

KANNAPOLIS, NC: The Delmarva Shorebirds (44-84, 21-41) fell just short to the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (68-60, 35-27) on Wednesday, suffering a 9-8 walk-off loss.

The Shorebirds scored first in the top of the second inning on an RBI single by Jimmy Anderson, which brought home Carlos Sanchez, making it 1-0.

Kannapolis answered in the next half-inning with a two-run single by Clay Burdette, giving the Cannon Ballers a 2-1 advantage.

The deficit grew in the third when an RBI single by Stiven Flores, a wild pitch, and a sacrifice fly by Grayson Fitzwater put Delmarva behind 5-1.

A two-run homer by Grayson Fitzwater (4) in the fifth extended the Kannapolis lead to 7-1.

In the ninth, the Shorebirds flipped the game on its head. After three straight walks started the inning, Eric Booth Jr. doubled home two runs, making it a 7-3 game. Moments later, Stiven Martinez brought home Adriander Mejia with a run-scoring single, pulling Delmarva within three at 7-4. A bases-loaded hit-by-pitch to Carlos Sanchez, followed by a walk to Jemone Nuel, made it a 7-6 game. Jimmy Anderson then put the Shorebirds in the lead with a two-run double, completing a seven-run ninth inning and stunning the Cannon Ballers, giving the Shorebirds an 8-7 advantage going into the bottom half.

However, Kannapolis rebounded and tied the game on an RBI double by Grayson Fitzwater, then Clay Burdette delivered a sacrifice fly to walk off the Shorebirds 9-8.

Grant Cleavinger (2-1) was the winning pitcher for Kannapolis, while Connor Gehr (0-2) took the loss for Delmarva.

The Shorebirds try to get back in the series on Thursday, with Brayan Orrantia taking the mound against Gabe Tanner for the Cannon Ballers. First pitch is set for 7:00 PM.

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