KANNAPOLIS, N.C. – The Augusta GreenJackets picked up their second straight win May 3 over the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 4-1.
Kannapolis scored first, but four unanswered runs from Augusta and late-game pitching heroics delivered the victory for the visitors on Education Day at Atrium Health Ballpark, according to a news release from the Augusta GreenJackets.
Seth Keller (W, 1-0) made the start for Augusta, extending his season-opening scoreless streak to 13.1 innings before an RBI double in the bottom of the fourth put Kannapolis up 1-0. Keller lasted five innings, giving up four hits and just the one run.
In the top of the sixth, the GreenJackets got a leadoff walk from Francisco Floyd, before Ambioris Tavarez hit his first triple of the season to drive him home. Base knocks from Ethan Workinger and Nick Clarno delivered two more runs, and the GreenJackets would not surrender the lead from there.
After Mahki Backstrom tripled to lead off the seventh, a sacrifice fly from former Charlotte 49er David McCabe put Augusta up 4-1. That score would hold courtesy of Jhancarlos Lara (H, 1) and Jason Franks (S, 1), who entered with the bases loaded and one out in the ninth and picked up his first professional save.
Augusta and Kannapolis battle again at 7 p.m. May 4. Braves’ No. 7 overall prospect Spencer Schwellenbach is the scheduled starter for Augusta. As always, the game can be heard on the GreenJackets Radio Network at bit.ly/GJRadio.
Augusta raises its record to 9-13 while Kannapolis is 12-9.
The GreenJackets return to SRP Park to take on the Charleston RiverDogs, a minor league affialiate of the Tampa Bay Rays the week of May 9. The series with Charleston will include an Education Day Game presented by SRNS, a STEM T-Shirt Giveaway presented by Aiken Technical College.
