Kannapolis, NC - The Charleston RiverDogs would prefer to avoid future Education Days in Kannapolis at all costs. In 2023, the RiverDogs fell 8-7 on a Wednesday morning at Atrium Health Ballpark when a wild pitch provided the winning run for the Cannon Ballers. Déjà vu hit the RiverDogs this season, as Woo Shin’s throwing error in the bottom of the ninth allowed the winning run to score from second base in a 2-1 defeat on Wednesday afternooon. The loss was the fifth straight for the RiverDogs, their longest losing streak since 2018.
Will Stevens took over on the mound for the bottom of the ninth with the score tied 1-1. He retired leadoff hitter Rikuu Nishida on the first pitch, but then allowed consecutive singles to Ryan Galanie and Eddie Park. Caden Connor stepped to the plate and tapped a slow roller toward first. Shin picked it up and underhanded the ball behind Stevens as the pitcher sprinted toward first. It caromed off his glove and rolled toward the home dugout as the winning run sprinted home.
The RiverDogs (6-10) struck first in the pitcher’s duel, scoring the initial run in the third inning. Cristopher Barete sparked the offense with a bunt single and advanced to second when the throw from third baseman Edrick Felix was wide of first. The speedy center field stole third base and was joined on base by Ricardo Gonzalez after he worked a walk. Adrian Santana grounded to first in the next at-bat, with Galanie throwing to second for the force out. On the throw, Barete broke for the plate and scored when the ball sailed high and wide of the plate.
Connor’s first big hit of the contest came in the fourth inning and pulled Kannapolis (9-7) even. Gary Gill Hill had cruised through the first three innings without allowing a run but left a 3-1 pitch over the plate and the designated hitter drove it over the left field wall and onto the berm for a game-tying solo home run. Gill Hill did not factor in the decision, allowing one run in 4.0 innings of work.
Connor closed the night with three hits, while Galanie added a pair. The RiverDogs were limited to just four hits for the second straight ballgame.
Cannon Ballers starter Jake Peppers allowed only an unearned run in 5.2 innings on the mound, also settling for a no decision. Three relievers combined to work 3.1 scoreless frames down the stretch. Chandler Murphy returned from injury to toss 1.2 scoreless for the RiverDogs. Adam Boucher added 2.1 innings without surrendering a run, helping Murphy out of a jam in the sixth.
The RiverDogs send their top arm to the mound to try and halt the skid on Thursday night. RHP Santiago Suarez (1-0, 1.13) will toe the rubber for the fourth time this season in a showdown with RHP Aldrin Batista (1-0, 0.87). First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.
The RiverDogs continue their hunt for a fourth-consecutive Carolina League championship in 2024. The full schedule of games is available here.
Kannapolis 2, Charleston 1
April 24, 2024
Click here for the box score
Charleston (R-H-E): 1-4-1
Kannapolis (R-H-E): 2-8-3
Win: Mendez (2-0)
Loss: Stevens (1-1)
Save:
HR: Charleston: None
HR: Kannapolis: Caden Connor (1, 4th inning, 0 on base)
