The Fayetteville Woodpeckers (44-43, 12-10) took on the Augusta GreenJackets (48-41, 13-10) in game two on Saturday night at Segra Stadium. Javier Perez was on the mound for Fayetteville against Derek Vartanian of Augusta.
The game was scoreless in the first three innings. At the top of the fourth inning, Augusta center fielder Conor Essenburg hit a solo home run to left-center field to put the GreenJackets up 1-0. It was his eighth home run of the season. Three batters later, Augusta had a runner on first base with one out when Nick Montgomery hit an RBI double to left field, scoring Juan Mateo for a 2-0 lead. Javier Perez was replaced by Grayson Saunier. With two outs, Saunier struck out Junior Garcia to end the inning.
Javier Perez went 3.1 innings, allowing three hits, two runs, two walks, and five strikeouts, throwing 63 pitches, of which 39 were strikes, while Saunier allowed a walk and struck out two, throwing 15 pitches, of which eight were strikes.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Fayetteville had the bases loaded when Yosweld Vasquez popped out to first baseman Cooper McMurray in foul territory. A fielding error by catcher Nick Montgomery allowed Juan Sierra to score. The Woodpeckers trailed the GreenJackets 2-1.
Josh Wakefield cleared the bases with a two-run RBI triple to left field, scoring Jadyn Fielder and Hector Salas to give the Woodpeckers a 3-2 lead. A wild pitch by pitcher Derek Vartanian scored Wakefield for a 4-2 lead. With two outs, a groundout by Waner Luciano ended the inning.
Charlie Weber pitched for Fayetteville at the top of the fifth inning. He went four innings, allowing two walks, and struck out three, throwing 58 pitches, of which 34 were strikes. Brandon Cassedy pitched for Fayetteville at the top of the ninth inning. Cassedy got into trouble when he loaded the bases with nobody out. Cooper McMurray hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Cody Miller. It was now 4-3. With two outs, Cassedy struck out Joe Olsavsky that ended the game. He allowed a hit, a run, a walk, and struck out one, throwing 20 pitches, of which 11 were strikes. The Woodpeckers held on to beat the GreenJackets 4-3.
Fayetteville finished the night with eight hits, went 2 for 5 with runners in scoring position, and left seven men on base. Josh Wakefield went 1 for 4 with a triple and two RBIs. The win went to Fayetteville pitcher Grayson Saunier (1-2), while Brandon Cassedy earned his third save of the season, and the loss went to Augusta starter Derek Vartanian (3-5).
The Woodpeckers will go for the sweep of the GreenJackets on Sunday at 5:05 pm on the MLB App and Bally Sports Live. Aubrey Smith (1-5, 6.35 ERA) will be on the mound for Fayetteville against Carter Holton (1-2, 5.12 ERA) of Augusta.
