The Fayetteville Woodpeckers (2-7) concluded the nine-game homestand and a six-game series from Segra Stadium on Sunday evening against the Charleston RiverDogs (5-4). Aubrey Smith was on the mound for Fayetteville against Aidan Haugh of Charleston.
In the bottom of the first inning, Fayetteville had runners on the corners with two outs when catcher Arturo Flores hit a three-run home run to center field for a 3-0 lead. It was Flores’s second home run of the season. Camilo Diaz struck out swinging, and the inning was over.
At the top of the second inning, Charleston got back into the game when Smith walked Daniel Pierce, followed by left fielder Dean Moss hitting a two-run home run to center field. The RiverDogs trailed the Woodpeckers 3-2. Smith struck out Brody Donay and Jose Monzon, before getting Derek Datil to groundout to first baseman Nehomar Ochoa Jr. to end the inning.
At the top of the third inning, Charleston had runners on first and second base when Daniel Pierce hit a two-run RBI double to left field. Caden Bodine and Taitn Gray scored to give the RiverDogs a 4-3 lead with two outs. A groundout by Dean Moss ended the inning.
At the top of the fourth inning, Charleston had a runner on third base when Derek Datil hit into a fielder’s choice. A throwing error by Fayetteville shortstop Xavier Neyens allowed Datil to run to second base, and Jose Monzon scored for a 5-3 lead.
Fayetteville starter Aubrey Smith pitched four innings, allowing five hits, five runs, one walk, and two strikeouts, throwing 59 pitches, of which 42 were strikes. Luis Aguilar was the new pitcher for Fayetteville at the top of the fifth inning.
In the bottom of the fifth inning with one out, Fayetteville shortstop Xavier Neyens hit a ground ball single to first baseman Taitn Gray. Then, second baseman Nick Monistere hit a sharp fly ball RBI triple to left field. Neyens scored, and the Woodpeckers trailed the RiverDogs 5-4. With one out, Anthony Huezo struck out, and a pop-out by Arturo Flores ended the inning.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Fayetteville loaded the bases when Xavier Neyens worked a four-pitch walk, scoring Kenni Gomez, and the game was tied 5-5. After a pitching change, a balk was called on Charleston pitcher Dylan Lesko, and Nehomar Ochoa Jr. scored to give the Woodpeckers a 6-5 lead. Fayetteville was unable to add any more runs in the innings.
At the top of the seventh inning, Charleston center fielder Brendan Summerhill tied the game 6-6 with a solo home run to center field. It was Summerhill’s third home run of the season. With two outs, a pop-out by Dean Moss ended the inning.
Fayetteville pitcher Luis Aguilar pitched four innings, allowing three hits, one run, two walks, and four strikeouts, throwing 66 pitches, of which 41 were strikes.
In the bottom of the eighth inning with one out, Juan Sierra hit a single to left field, and Kenni Gomez hit a double to right field. Fayetteville first baseman Nehomar Ochoa Jr. followed up by hitting a two-run RBI single to center field. Sierra and Gomez scored to give the Woodpeckers an 8-6 lead. Josh Wakefield got a base hit, and Xavier Neyens worked a four-pitch walk that loaded the bases. A sacrifice fly by Nick Monistere brought home Ochoa Jr. for a 9-6 lead.
Fayetteville continued to add insurance runs with designated hitter Anthony Huezo hitting an RBI double to right field. Josh Wakefield scored for a 10-6 lead. A strikeout by Arturo Flores ended the inning.
Leomar Rosario was the new pitcher for Fayetteville at the top of the ninth inning. He struck out Brendan Summerhill and Caden Bodine, before hitting Taitn Gray. Rosario struck out Daniel Pierce to end the game. The Woodpeckers ended a six-game losing streak by defeating the Charleston RiverDogs 10-6.
Fayetteville finished the evening with 16 hits, committed three errors, went 4 for 14 with runners in scoring position, and left seven men on base. Josh Wakefield went 3 for 4 with three singles, three stolen bases, and a walk, while Xavier Neyens went 2 for 3 with two singles, two walks, a stolen base, and a walk.
The win went to Fayetteville pitcher Luis Aguilar for his first win of the season, and the loss went to Charleston pitcher Mason Nichols.
The Woodpeckers will hit the road for the time this season as they will play a six-game series against the Augusta GreenJackets starting on Tuesday at 7:05 pm.
