KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (Interstat) — Jervis Alfaro struck out nine over 4 2/3 innings as the Hill City Howlers opened their season with a 4-3 win over the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers on Thursday at Atrium Health Ballpark.

Alfaro allowed two earned runs on five hits to earn the win. The Howlers, who outhit Kannapolis 13-7, broke a 1-1 tie with a run in the fifth. After the Cannon Ballers tied it with two in the sixth, Luis De La Cruz put Hill City ahead for good with an RBI double in the seventh. Anthony Martinez and Gabriel Rodriguez added insurance RBIs in the eighth.

Riley Eikhoff took the loss for Kannapolis. Angel Perez secured the final out for the save before a crowd of 3,780. The teams continue their series Friday.