KANNAPOLIS, N.C. – Four Kannapolis Cannon Baller bats put up multi-hit games and the bullpen held on late despite a push from the Delmarva Shorebirds, winning, 5-4, Friday night at Atrium Health Ballpark.
With their win, Kannapolis has now hit 70 wins for just the second time in their time at Atrium Health Ballpark, with the chance to hit 71 in their next two games, which would set a Cannon Ballers record.
RHP Fabian Ysalla came up just shy of eligibility for the win, allowing one run on five hits with two walks and four strikeouts. RHP Andrew Berg entered in relief with 1.1 innings, earning his first win of the season with one hit allowed and two strikeouts. RHP Nick Weyrich and LHP Jordan Morales earned a hold in the seventh and eighth, while LHP Grant Cleavinger struggled in his first rough showing of the season. After three runs scored on four hits, RHP Daniel Wright notched his first save of the season with a strikeout of the only batter they faced.
Kannapolis struck first yet again this week in Friday’s win, going ahead, 1-0, on a Stiven Flores RBI single. Jake Berkland, who put up the best showing of the Ballers’ night of offense, made it, 2-0, with an RBI single of his own in the bottom of the second.
Miguel Rodriguez gave Delmarva their first run of the night in the top of the fifth, doubling to score Stiven Martinez and cut the Ballers lead to, 2-1.
The home side answered quickly, scoring in the fifth on an Abraham Nunez RBI groundout. Berkland tacked on another in the bottom of the sixth on a groundout of his own to make it, 4-1, before pushing Kannapolis in front, 5-1, in the bottom of the eighth with a run scored on a Delmarva error.
For the second time this week, the Shorebirds made a late push, coming up just short of a complete comeback. After three singles, Rodriguez walked with the bases loaded to make it, 5-2. Later in the inning, Jemone Nuel punched a ground ball through to the outfield to score a pair, making it, 5-4. Despite the valiant effort, Wright entered and struck out Joshua Liranzo looking to seal the Kannapolis win.
The Cannon Ballers and Shorebirds have just two more games remaining in the season, with their final night game of 2026 Saturday night playing as game five of their series. Kannapolis sends LHP Nick Pinto to the mound for his final start of the year for a 7:00 p.m. first pitch.
Fans can learn more about season ticket memberships, mini plans, group outings, and hospitality packages for the 2027 season by visiting kcballers.com, calling (704) 932-3267 or emailing tickets@kcballers.com for more information.