Tightly Contested Ballgame Finds Kannapolis on Wrong End of 3-2 Matchup Saturday

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. – In one of the closest matchups played at Atrium Health Ballpark in the 2022 season, the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers dropped their second straight game against the Columbia Fireflies 3-2 Saturday night.

RHP Norge Vera spun another magical outing for the Ballers, throwing 3.0 shutout innings, allowing two hits, two walks, and striking out three. Vera lowers his ERA to a 1.88 number, with his home ERA being even better at 0.56. RHP Lane Ramsey relieved Vera for his third relief appearance, walking one, allowing one hit and striking out one in a clean inning of action.

It took over five innings of action for either side to break through, with Fireflies OF Jaswel De Los Santos scoring Erick Pena on a sacrifice bunt in the top of the sixth inning to put Columbia ahead 1-0.

The Fireflies found their second and third runs of the game in the top of the seventh inning on back-to-back singles from Enrique Valdez and Pena. The two base knocks scored Daniel Vazquez and Enrique Valdez to push Columbia on top 3-0.

Kannapolis climbed back into the game late with a Logan Glass solo home run in the bottom of the seventh inning, making it 3-1 Fireflies. Glass’ fourth home run of the season was the first run scored for the Ballers in Saturday night’s matchup.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, the Cannon Ballers put forth a great effort to extend the game with rain coming down from the sky. Benyamin Bailey stepped to the plate as a pinch hitter, scorching an RBI single to score Samil Polanco, cutting into Columbia’s lead at 3-2. Kannapolis had the tying run at third base, but the Ballers could not find a way to get the runner home, dropping their second game in a row.

Kannapolis and Columbia will square off for the final game of the six-game series on Sunday. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. in the Cheerwine Day festivities, with the first 1,000 fans 14 or older receiving a Kannapolis Cannon Ballers x Cheerwine Hawaiian shirt. RHP Jared Kelley (0-4, 3.47 ERA) will begin the day on the mound for the Ballers, with RHP Ben Hernandez (1-5, 4.44 ERA) earning his second start of the week for the Fireflies.

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.