Despite only accumulating four hits, the Cannon Ballers (14-19) outlasted the Fireflies (15-18) to take the series, 3-2. Kannapolis went with a bullpen day with the pitching staff, and as a whole they only allowed the two runs on six hits, while also striking out 10 and walking just one. Righthander Landen Payne gave up one single in his opening inning, and Blaine Wynk acted as the long reliever, taking over for three scoreless frames. Nick Weyrich rang up the most batters Sunday (four), and allowed one of Columbia’s two runs, with the other charged to Jordan Morales.
As the Ballers took the lead in the seventh, Morales would would end up with the win, and Marco Barrios earned his first save of the season in his 12th appearance by striking out the side. In 14 1/3 innings in 2026, Barrios holds a 1.26 ERA and WHIP, and if he keeps it up, it’s likely he’ll make the jump to the Dash soon.
Two of the four hits for the Ballers were for extra bases: a two-bagger from D’Angelo Tejada, and a three-run bomb from Javier Mogollón that drove Kanny to the win. Thankfully the homer happened, because the Ballers were otherwise floundering at the plate. They didn’t walk once, and struck out a whopping 18 times (everyone K’ed at least once), but at least they came out with a win. In a familiar refrain, it was the only South Side minors team in the organization to do earn a victory today.