The Fayetteville Woodpeckers (13-20) concluded the six-game series on Sunday evening against the Wilson Warbirds (15-18) from Segra Stadium. Aubrey Smith was on the mound for Fayetteville against Jarrette Bonet of Wilson.
On the first pitch of the game, Wilson center fielder Handelfry Encarnacion hit a solo home run to right field for a 1-0 lead. It was Encarnacion’s sixth home run of the season. With two outs, Smith struck out Pedro Ibarguen to end the inning.
In the bottom of the first inning, Fayetteville had a runner on second base when Xavier Neyens hit an RBI single to right field. Anthony Huezo scored, and the game was tied 1-1. Three batters, Fayetteville had runners on the corners, when Juan Sierra hit an RBI single to right field. Xavier Neyens scored for a 2-1 lead. A throwing error by Pedro Ibarguen allowed Sierra to run to second base.
Fayetteville catcher Arturo Flores cleared the bases with a three-run home run to right field for a 5-1 lead. It was his fifth home run of the season. With one out, German Ramirez grounded into an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play.
At the top of the third inning, Wilson had runners on second and third base when Kevin Garcia hit a sacrifice fly to center field. Handelfry Encarnacion scored, and the Warbirds cut the deficit to 5-2. Wilson third baseman Filippo Di Turi followed up with an RBI single to first base.
Juan Ortuno scored, and it was now 5-3. Two batters later, Luis Lameda hit a two-run RBI single to right field. Filippo Di Turi and Pedro Ibarguen scored, and the game was tied 5-5. Lameda tried to reach second base, but was called out, and the inning was over.
Fayetteville starter Aubrey Smith pitched 4.2 innings, allowing five hits, five runs, two walks, and four strikeouts, throwing 77 pitches, of which 46 were strikes. Charlie Weber replaced Smith at the top of the fifth inning with two outs. A flyout by Pedro Ibarguen ended the inning.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Fayetteville had a runner on second base with two outs when Juan Sierra hit an RBI single to left field. Xavier Neyens scored for a 6-5 lead. A groundout by Arturo Flores ended the inning.
Charlie Weber pitched 1.1 innings, allowing three walks, throwing 25 pitches, of which 12 were strikes. Jesus Carrera pitched for Lehigh Valley at the top of the seventh inning.
At the top of the eighth inning, Fayetteville had a runner on third base when Carlos Cauro grounded out to shortstop Brady Ebel. Xavier Neyens scored for a 7-5 lead. A lineout by Juan Sierra ended the inning.
At the top of the ninth inning, Wilson had runners on the corners with two outs when Juan Ortuno hit an RBI single to second base. Handelfry Encarnacion scored, and it was now 7-6. Fayetteville pitcher Jose Carrera struck out Kevin Garcia, and the game was over.
The Woodpeckers split the series with a 7-6 win over the Warbirds. Fayetteville finished the afternoon with eight hits, committed one error, went 4 for 10 with runners in scoring position, and left five men on base. Arturo Flores went 1 for 3 with a walk, a home run, and three RBIs.
The win went to Fayetteville pitcher Charlie Weber (1-1), while Jose Carrera earned the save (1), and the loss went to Wilson pitcher Thomas Conrad (2-2).
The Woodpeckers will be on the road next week against the Delmarva Shorebirds on Tuesday at 11:05 am on the MLB App.
