Offensive Explosion in Kannapolis Leads Woodpeckers to Fourth Consecutive Win 

Kannapolis, NC - The Fayetteville Woodpeckers (16-21) saved their highest scoring game of the season for Friday night as they dominated the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (17-20), 13-2, en route to their fourth consecutive victory. The win continued Fayetteville’s longest streak of the season and pulled them within one game of the Cannon Ballers in the Carolina League South Division standings.

Kannapolis picked up an early edge in the bottom of the first against Woodpeckers starter Shea Barry. Colson Montgomery singled home Misael Gonzalez to make it 1-0 home team. The following frame, Ivan Gonzalez grounded one through the right side of the infield to plate DJ Gladney for a 2-0 lead.

After being held scoreless through three by Cannon Ballers starter Brooks Gosswein, Fayetteville’s offense came to life in the top of the fourth. Quincy Hamilton was hit by a pitch to begin the inning, which was immediately followed by a Tyler Whitaker single. After a Victor Mascai walk loaded the bases with nobody out, Miguel Palma flew out to right, allowing Hamilton to score to cut the Kannapolis lead in half. Two batters later, Freddy Guilamo lined one into the left center field gap to bring in Whitaker and tie the game at two. It was the third double in three games for Guilamo, who entered the series without one the entire season.

The bats remained hot for the Woodpeckers in the fifth. Like Hamilton, Yeuris Ramirez was hit with a pitch to lead off the frame. The next batter was Leosdany Molina, who exacted revenge by sending a 1-2 pitch over the wall in left center for his fourth home run of the year to give Fayetteville a 4-2 lead.

The floodgates opened offensively in the seventh inning. With the bases loaded and no outs, Whitaker and Mascai drew back to back walks to double the lead, 6-2. Palma then drove in two more runs on a base hit to center field. That brought up Kenedy Corona and the Woodpeckers outfielder demolished a three-run home run to left center to break the game open further, 11-2.

Guilamo continued his impressive performance in the top of the ninth. The Woodpeckers catcher lifted a towering fly ball over the left field wall for a two-run shot, his third homer of 2022, to close out the scoring. Guilamo joined Corona and Palma in driving in three runs on the night, the first time this season that multiple Woodpeckers have driven in three or more runs in one contest.

With the victory securing the first series win of the year, Fayetteville will look to push the win streak to five Saturday night at Atrium Health Ballpark. RHP Alex Santos will get the start for the Woodpeckers while Kannapolis tries to halt their losing streak with RHP Kohl Simas. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30.

FINAL BOX SCORE: https://www.milb.com/gameday/669260/final/box