The Fayetteville Woodpeckers (18-23) played game two against the Fredericksburg Nationals (29-12) on Wednesday night at Segra Stadium. Ryan Mathiesen was on the mound for Fayetteville, making his debut against Liam Sullivan of Fredericksburg.
At the top of the second inning, Fredericksburg had runners on the corners when Rafael Ramirez Jr. hit a two-run RBI double to center field. Jack Morokenk and Sir Jamison Jones scored for a 2-0 lead. With two outs, Mathiesen struck out Dashyll Tejeda to retire the side.
At the top of the fourth inning, Nick Potter put two men on base before he was replaced by Brandon Cassedy. With two outs, Dashyll Tejeda grounded into a forceout at third base to end the inning. Nick Potter pitched 3.1 innings, allowing three hits, two runs, four walks, and five strikeouts, throwing 65 pitches, of which 37 were strikes. Cassedy threw 12 pitches, of which seven were strikes, to get two outs.
Ryan Mathiesen pitched for Fayetteville at the top of the fourth inning. He allowed one hit, one walk, and one strikeout, throwing 17 pitches, of which nine were strikes.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Fayetteville had a runner on third base when second baseman Hector Salas hit a sacrifice fly to right field. Josh Wakefield scored, and Woodpeckers trailed the Nationals 2-1. With two outs, Camilo Diaz struck out swinging, and the inning was over.
Kellan Oakes pitched for Fayetteville at the top of the sixth inning. With two outs, Fredericksburg first baseman Juan Cruz hit a solo home run to right field for a 3-1 lead. It was Cruz’s second home run of the season. Oakes struck out Manuel Cabrera to retire the side.
Kellan Oakes pitched four innings, allowing one hit, one run, and eight strikeouts, throwing 52 pitches, of which 37 were strikes. At the top of the ninth inning, Fayetteville had runners on first and second base when first baseman Arturo Flores hit an RBI single to left field. Kevin Alvarez scored, and the Woodpeckers trailed the Nationals 3-2. Hector Salas was up next with runners on the corners. He struck out swinging, and the game was over. The Woodpeckers lost to the Nationals 3-2.
Fayetteville finished the night with three hits, committed one error, went 1 for 6 with runners in scoring position, and left five men on base. Josh Wakefield went 2 for 2 with two singles, two walks, and two stolen bases.
The loss went to Fayetteville starter Nick Potter (0-1), while the win went to Fredericksburg pitcher Johan Otanez (1-0), and Jacob Roberts earned his fourth save of the season.
The Woodpeckers and Nationals play game three on Thursday at 6:35 pm on the MLB App. Javier Perez (3-2, 2.15 ERA) will be on the mound for Fayetteville against Alexander Meckley (3-0, 2.70 ERA) of Fredericksburg.
