The Fayetteville Woodpeckers (6-12) played game three on Thursday against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (9-9) from Segra Stadium. Javier Perez was on the mound for Fayetteville against Kevin Camacho of Myrtle Beach.
In the bottom of the first inning, Fayetteville had the bases loaded with one out when Juan Sierra worked a four-pitch walk, scoring Zach Cole for a 1-0 lead. Myrtle Beach starter Kevin Camacho threw a wild pitch. Catcher Jairo Diaz made a throwing error to third baseman Derniche Valdez to get Josh Wakefield out. Instead, Wakefield and Nick Monistere scored for a 3-0 lead.
With one out, Fayetteville first baseman Nehomar Ochoa Jr. worked a four-pitch walk. Catcher Yosweld Vasquez grounded to shortstop Ty Southisene for the second out. Juan Sierra scored for a 4-0 lead. Ochoa Jr. ran to second base and later stole third base. Kenni Gomez struck out swinging, and the inning was over.
In the bottom of the second inning, Josh Wakefield worked a four-pitch walk with two outs, and he stole second base. Shortstop Nick Monistere hit an RBI double to left field. Josh Wakefield scored for a 5-0 lead. Monistere stole third base a short time later. Juan Sierra followed up with an RBI double to left field. Monistere scored for a 6-0 lead. Camilo Diaz struck out swinging, and the inning was over.
In the bottom of the third inning, Fayetteville first baseman Nehomar Ochoa Jr. crushed a solo home run to left-center field for a 7-0 lead. It was Ochoa Jr.’s second home run of the season. Kenni Gomez walked with one out, but a lineout by Brandon Forrester and Zach Cole struck out swinging, and the inning was over.
At the top of the fifth inning, Myrtle Beach had runners on the corners with two outs when Ty Southisene hit an RBI single to center field. Derniche Valdez scored, and it was now 7-1. A pop-out by Alexey Lumpuy ended the inning.
Javier Perez pitched a good game for Fayetteville. He went six innings, allowing three hits, one run, one walk, and seven strikeouts, throwing 86 pitches, of which 56 were strikes. Charlie Weber was the new pitcher for Fayetteville at the top of the seventh inning.
Weber pitched three innings, striking out six, throwing 45 pitches, of which 33 were strikes, to get the final six outs of the game. The Woodpeckers extended their winning streak to three games with a 7-1 win over the Pelicans.
Fayetteville finished the night with five hits, committed one error, went 2 for 6 with runners in scoring position, and left four men on base. Right fielder Juan Sierra went 1 for 3 with a walk, a double, and two RBIs. The win went to Fayetteville starter Javier Perez (1-1, while Charlie Weber earned the save (1), and the loss went to Myrtle Beach starter Kevin Camacho.
The Woodpeckers will go for the series win on Friday against the Pelicans at 7:05 pm on the MLB App. Gabel Pentecost (1-1, 6.17 ERA) will be on the mound for Lehigh Valley, while Myrtle Beach has yet to name a starter.
