Record
1-3 (last week)
57-48 (overall)
16-23 (second half)

The Cannon Ballers, your South Division First Half Champs, only played four contests during this stretch due to a rainout on Tuesday. Kanny’s poor play in the second half has dropped them to fifth place in the division. Their formidable opponents were the Columbia Fireflies, the Single-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, who occupy second place in the Carolina South Division. The Sox are being bested by the Crowns, even in the minors. Take that, Chris Getz!

Despite another down week, there were some positives, including the continued development of George Wolkow and another solid start by Jake Peppers.

August 7: Columbia Fireflies 6, Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 3
Tanner McDougal pitched a gem in his last start, but this time out, he tossed a clunker. The righthander erupted for three runs on four hits and one walk in the first inning. He managed to settle down for the second and third but gave up another tally in the fourth. The 21-year-old did not help himself any in that inning with a balk, walk, and wild pitch.

Despite McDougal’s struggles, skipper Pat Leyland let him return in the fifth, but he unfortunately gave up a leadoff walk. The free pass ended his outing, and reliever Manuel Veloz came in and surrendered consecutive hits, allowing the walk to score.

Left fielder Drake Logan drove in two Baller runs on a single in the top of the fourth, and newly signed infielder Alec Makarewicz drove in the third run on a single in the fifth. That’s the closest the contest would be at 4-3 as the Fireflies ultimately put this one away 6-3.

Game MVP
Drake Logan 1-for-4, 2 RBI

August 9: Columbia Fireflies 8, Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 3 (8/8 Suspended game) 
In a rain-soaked contest, the Ballers played home run ball and struck first on a solo jack by George Wolkow, his ninth four-bagger of the year. The 18-year-old is demonstrating both pop and patience at the plate with a .482 SLG and a .860 OPS. At 6’7″, the big lefty is looking pretty impressive for his young age (-2.6 age difference).

T.J. McCants, who led off the second with a dinger, also made his professional debut in this one. The White Sox selected the outfielder last month in Round 16 (No. 469) of the MLB Draft. The 23-year-old began his collegiate career at Ole Miss and finished with Alabama. What a way to make a first impression!

Carlton Perkins got the ball to start the contest and labored right out of the gate. He gave up five runs on five hits with two walks in two innings of work, putting Kannapolis in an early 5-2 deficit, which they could not overcome. Rain suspended this one after the top of the third, letting Perkins off the hook.

Southpaw Patrick Maybach took the ball on Friday but didn’t fare much better. The White Sox signed Maybach on July 5 out of the Pioneer League, where he’s been playing for the Billings Mustangs since 2022. He played six seasons for the Salve Regina University Seahawks (NCAA D-III). The 26-year-old gave up three runs (two earned) on three hits, a wild pitch, and a walk over three frames.

Kanny managed to scrape across only one more run in the top of the ninth on singles by Arxy Hernandez, Lyle Miller-Green, and Sam Antonacci. After taking the L in this one, the Ballers extended their losing streak to five games.

Game MVP
George Wolkow 2-for-3, RBI, BB

August 9: Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 5, Columbia Fireflies 3 (7 innings)
Unlike their major league affiliate, the Ballers were able to halt their losing streak after five with a W in the second game of Friday’s twinbill. The offense didn’t hesitate as they scored two in the top of the first. Makarewicz had a big one-out single, scoring Antonacci and Jeral Perez.

Then, in the top of the third, they tacked on two more, including an RBI single by Ronny Hernandez and a bases-loaded walk by Albertson Asigen. Kanny’s final run came on yet another bomb by Wolkow, his 10th of the season. He makes crushing a ball look effortless.

The pitching was solid as Jake Peppers landed his fifth win. The White Sox selected the 22-year-old in round 9 (No. 269) of the 2023 MLB Draft. He made his professional debut with the Ballers in April and is 5-5 with a 4.00 ERA in 18 starts over 78 2/3 innings. The righthander has seemed to find his groove lately, as he’s surrendered only three runs in his last four starts. Hale Sims came out for the last two innings and nailed down his first save in his second appearance for Kannapolis.

Game MVP
Alec Makarewicz 2-for-4, 2 RBI, R

August 10: Columbia Fireflies 3, Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 2
In the closest contest of the week, the Ballers only scored in the seventh inning. Despite generating seven hits, they could only manage two tallies. Highlights included two-hit games from shortstop Ryan Burrowes and catcher Luis Pineda. Right fielder George Wolkow, who had been on fire all week, went 0-3 with a walk and three Ks.

Lefty Frankeli Arias gave up a round-tripper in the second, and Columbia manufactured a run off him in the fifth. Besides those two innings, Arias was pretty sharp. He struck out five batters and continued to build upon his impressive 9.60 K/9. Reliever Mark McLaughlin took the loss as he surrendered the winning run on a homer to lead off the seventh. It was his only mistake of the game, as the righty gave up just two hits and struck out four over 3 2/3 innings.

Game MVP
Luis Pineda 2-for-3, RBI, R

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George Wolkow photo by MiLB/Kannapolis Cannon Ballers video