Hickory Looks to Extend Division Lead at Kannapolis

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (Interstat) — The first-place Hickory Crawdads will aim to continue their early-season dominance over the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers when the Carolina League rivals meet again Saturday at Atrium Health Ballpark.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. under clear skies with a game-time temperature of 73 degrees.

Hickory (5-2) has taken three of the first four games in this six-game series, including a 4-3 victory Friday night. The Crawdads’ pitching has been pivotal, holding Kannapolis (2-5) to three runs or fewer in three of the wins.

The Crawdads will send right-hander AJ Russell (0-0, 0.00 ERA) to the mound for his first start of the season. He will be opposed by a Cannon Ballers starter yet to be announced.

A key player to watch for Hickory is reliever J.D. McReynolds, who has been nearly untouchable. In his last three appearances, spanning 4.1 innings, he has allowed just one hit and no runs while striking out nine. He earned the win in Friday’s contest with 1.1 perfect innings of relief, fanning three.

For Kannapolis, reliever Garrett Wright has been a bright spot despite the team’s struggles. Over his last two outings, both against Hickory, he has thrown 4.0 scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out eight.

The Cannon Ballers’ offense will look to break out after being shut out Thursday and limited to three runs Friday. Hickory’s offense was powered Friday by center fielder Hector Osorio, who hit a three-run home run.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, Saturday’s contest projects to be another tight one, with a predicted final score of 4-3 in favor of Hickory.

Following Sunday’s series finale, the Crawdads will return home to begin a series with the Salem RidgeYaks on Tuesday. The Cannon Ballers will hit the road for a six-game set against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans starting Tuesday.