Ballers Offense Explodes for 16-Hit Performance in 16-3 Win over Mudcats

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. – Backed by big nights at the plate from Chris Lanzilli and Jordan Sprinkle, the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (56-52) earned a, 16-3, victory over the Carolina Mudcats (60-46) in the first of six matchups on the week at Atrium Health Ballpark.

With the win and a collection of losses from other teams in the South Division, Kannapolis hops to, 21-22, in the second half, gaining ground in the final weeks of the regular season at now six games behind Charleston.

RHP Drew McDaniel (W, 5-8) threw his second victorious outing in a row, allowing three runs on 10 hits, walking three and striking three. RHP Emerson Talavera relieved McDaniel in the sixth, following up with two perfect innings in relief.

Kannapolis used a barrage of walks from Mudcats starting arm RHP Alexander Vallecillo (L, 2-3) in the first inning to earn six runs. Eddie Park and Sprinkle each walked with the bases loaded, followed up quickly by the first of three two-RBI doubles on the evening by Lanzilli. Just one and two batters later, Ryan Galanie and Jhoneiker Betancourt tallied back-to-back sacrifice flies into right field to push the Ballers to a, 6-0, lead.

Carolina got on the board with their only three runs in the top of the second with a Jadher Areinamo RBI double, a Gregory Barrios RBI groundout and a Luke Adams RBI single to cut the Kannapolis lead to, 6-3.

Park and Sprinkle started the acceleration of offense in the bottom of the second inning with an RBI single and a two-run home run, respectively to make it 9-3. In the bottom of the fourth, Lanzilli grounded a hard-hit ball down the right field line to notch another two-RBI double to grow the Ballers lead to, 11-3.

Mario Camilletti and Calvin Harris each added more in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI double and a sacrifice fly, respectively, to push the home side’s lead to, 13-3 after five innings. Lanzilli’s third and final RBI double came in the bottom of the seventh, making it, 15-3, advantage, Kannapolis.

Betancourt tallied yet another run in the bottom of the eighth on a solo home run, extending the Ballers lead to, 16-3, a lead that Carolina did not answer to for the remainder of the game.

RHP Aldrin Batista makes his second start as a Baller on Wednesday night in the second of six games on the week between the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers and Carolina Mudcats. First pitch for Wednesday’s game is set for 7:00 p.m.

Fans can purchase tickets for any remaining home games at kcballers.com or at the F&M Bank Box Office located at Atrium Health Ballpark.