The Fayetteville Woodpeckers (23-29) returned to Segra Stadium on Tuesday night to begin a six-game homestand against the Columbia Fireflies (24-28). Juan Fraide was on the mound for Fayetteville against Kendry Chourio of Columbia.
Before the game started, the Woodpeckers announced that outfielder Nehomar Ochoa Jr. was promoted to High Single-A Ashville Tourists. In 2026, Ochoa Jr. hit .270 with 34 hits, five home runs, and 19 RBIs in 126 at-bats. He played 162 games in three seasons, batting .225 with 122 hits, 16 home runs, and 65 RBIs in 543 at-bats.
The game was scoreless in the first three innings. At the top of the fourth inning, Columbia had the bases loaded when Connor Rasmussen grounded into a forceout at second base. Sean Gamble scored to give the Fireflies a 1-0 lead. With two outs, a double steal took place when Rasmussen stole second base, and Josh Hammond stole home plate for a 2-0 lead. Fraide struck out J.C. Vanek to retire the side.
At the top of the fifth inning, Juan Fraide put a runner on first base with one out before he was replaced by Jackson Wells. Henry Ramos grounded into a 4-6-3 inning-ending double play. Juan Fraide went 4.1 innings, allowing three hits, two runs, three walks, and seven strikeouts, throwing 77 pitches, of which 49 were strikes. Wells pitched 1.2 innings, allowing one walk and striking out one, throwing 18 pitches, of which 10 were strikes.
Jagger Beck was the new pitcher for Fayetteville at the top of the seventh inning. Columbia had runners on second and third base when Roni Cabrera hit an RBI single to center field, scoring Connor Rasmussen for a 3-0 lead. With two outs, Beck struck out Henry Ramos to retire the side.
Jagger Beck pitched three innings, allowing three hits, one run, one walk, and five strikeouts, throwing 56 pitches, of which 34 were strikes.
In the bottom of the ninth inning with one out, Fayetteville right fielder Anthony Huezo hit a solo home run to right-center field. The Woodpeckers trailed the Fireflies 3-1. It was his eighth home run of the season. Xavier Neyens worked a four-pitch walk. With two outs, Juan Sierra struck out swinging, and the game was over. The Woodpeckers lost to the Fireflies 3-1.
Fayetteville finished the night with two hits, went 0 for 3 with runners in scoring position, and left three men on base. Anthony Huezo went 1 for 3 with a home run and one RBI. The loss went to Fayetteville starter Juan Fraide (0-1), while the win went to Columbia starter Kendry Chourio (2-0), and Jhon Reyes earned his second save of the season.
The Woodpeckers and Fireflies play game two on Wednesday at 11:05 am on the MLB App. Nick Potter (0-1, 2.55 ERA) will be on the mound for Fayetteville against Shane Van Dam (1-3, 4.70 ERA) of Columbia.
