KANNAPOLIS, N.C. – The Kannapolis Cannon Ballers dropped game three of their series against the Salem RidgeYaks, 6-2, at Atrium Health Ballpark Thursday night.
RHP Gabe Tanner (L, 3-4) was dealt the loss in the contest in 4.1 innings of work. Tanner surrendered five hits, five runs and four walks while punching out three RidgeYaks. RHP Ryan Schiefer followed up Tanner with 1.2 scoreless frames, allowing one base hit and striking out two batters. RHP Andrew Berg made his home debut, giving up two hits and a run while notching a strikeout. LHP Jordan Morales tossed a scoreless eighth inning with two K’s, while LHP Grant Cleavinger worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning.
Salem struck first in the top of the third inning, taking the first lead of the game with a hard-hit solo home run from Andrews Opata to make it, 1-0, visitors.
The Ballers answered in the bottom of the third inning, scoring on an RBI groundout off the bat of top White Sox prospect Billy Carlson.
In the top of the fifth, Salem put up their big four-run inning, scoring on an error, a bases loaded walk from Kleyver Salazar and a two-run single from Adonys Guzman to make it, 5-1.
In the top of the seventh, Skylar King singled home another for the RidgeYaks to pull the visitors in front, 6-1.
Nick McLain tacked one on for the Ballers in the bottom of the seventh to make it, 6-2, but the home side could not produce enough offense late to muster a comeback.
The Ballers look to re-even the series Friday night at Atrium Health Ballpark in the fourth of six games at home this week. RHP Fabian Ysalla is scheduled to be the starting pitcher for Kannapolis against the Salem RidgeYaks.
The 2026 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers season is underway at Atrium Health Ballpark! Single-game tickets, season ticket packages, group experiences and 10-game mini plans for the 2026 season are available for purchase now. Call the Cannon Ballers ticket office at (704) 932-3267 or visit kcballers.com for more information.