The Fayetteville Woodpeckers (49-47, 17-14) took on the Hill City Howlers (42-56, 11-21) in game two on Wednesday night at Segra Stadium. Ryan Forcucci was on the mound for Fayetteville against Aidan Major of Hill City.
At the top of the first inning, Hill City had runners on first and second base when Luis De La Cruz hit an RBI single to center field, scoring Jonathan Martinez to put the Howlers up 1-0. With one out, Reiner Herrera grounded out to shortstop Hector Salas, scoring Riley Nelson for a 2-0 lead. A groundout by Gabriel Rodriguez ended the inning.
In the bottom of the first inning, Fayetteville had a runner on second base with one out when designated hitter Kevin Alvarez hit an RBI single to center field, scoring Waner Luciano to cut Hill City’s lead to 2-1. With two outs, a groundout by Jadyn Fielder ended the inning.
At the top of the second inning, Hill City had runners on the corners when Dauri Fernandez stole second base. A throwing error by Fayetteville catcher Yosweld Vasquez scored Yeiferth Castillo for a 3-1 lead. Then, Dauri Fernandez stole third base, and another throwing error by Vasquez scored Fernandez for a 4-1 lead. Grayson Saunier replaced Ryan Forcucci. With two outs, Saunier struck out Riley Nelson to end the inning.
Fayetteville starter Ryan Forcucci went 1.2 innings, allowing two hits, four runs, five walks, and one strikeout, throwing 49 pitches, of which 18 were strikes. Grayson Saunier went 1.1 innings, allowing a hit and struck out one, throwing nine pitches, of which eight were strikes. Ryan Verdugo pitched for Fayetteville at the top of the fourth inning.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Fayetteville had a runner on third base with two outs when Juan Sierra hit a two-run home run to right-center field, cutting the deficit to 4-3. It was his seventh home run of the season, and the first home run since May. A groundout by Hector Salas ended the inning.
In the bottom of the sixth inning with one out, Kevin Alvarez tied the game 4-4 with a solo home run to right field. It was his ninth home run of the season. With two outs, a flyout by Jadyn Fielder ended the inning. Fayetteville pitcher Ryan Verdugo went six innings, allowing two hits, four walks, and four strikeouts, throwing 82 pitches, of which 41 were strikes.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Kevin Alvarez worked a four-pitch walk, while Jadyn Fielder hit a single, and Hector Salas worked a four-pitch walk with two outs. Fayetteville second baseman Camilo Diaz worked a four-pitch walk, scoring Kevin Alvarez for a walk-off win. The Woodpeckers completed the comeback with a 5-4 win over the Howlers.
Fayetteville finished the night with five hits, committed two errors, went 2 for 5 with runners in scoring position, and left four men on base. Kevin Alvarez went 2 for 2 with a home run, two walks, and two RBIs. The win went to Fayetteville pitcher Ryan Verdugo (5-4), and the loss went to Hill City pitcher Conner Whittaker (1-1).
The Woodpeckers and Howlers play game three on Thursday at 6:35 pm on the MLB App and Bally Sports Live. Jagger Beck (3-3, 2.67 ERA) will be on the mound for Fayetteville against Will Hynes (0-2, 5.21 ERA) of Hill City.
