The Fayetteville Woodpeckers (51-47, 19-14) took on the Hill City Howlers (42-58, 11-23) in game four on Friday night at Segra Stadium. Nick Potter was on the mound for Fayetteville against Ryan Prager of Hill City. Before the game, the Fayetteville Woodpeckers announced that RHP Grayson Saunier, LHP Adam Shoemaker, and catcher Yosweld Vasquez were promoted to High-A Asheville Tourists.
In the bottom of the first inning, Fayetteville had the bases loaded when right fielder Juan Sierra hit a grand slam to left-center field that put the Woodpeckers up 4-0. It was his ninth home run of the season. Three batters later, Fayetteville had a runner on first base with two outs when D.J. Newman hit a two-run home run to right field for a 6-0 lead.
It was his third home run of the season. Later, Fayetteville had a runner on third base when Josh Wakefield hit an RBI single to first base, scoring Hector Salas for a 7-0 lead. Third baseman Waner Luciano followed up by hitting an RBI double to right field, scoring Wakefield for an 8-0 lead. It was his 12th double of the season. A groundout by Carlos Cauro ended the inning.
At the top of the second inning, Fayetteville starter Nick Potter loaded the bases with one out when he walked Yerlin Luis, bringing home Jose Pirela, and it was now 8-1. With two outs, a groundout by Jonathan Martinez ended the inning. Nick Potter went four innings, allowing two hits, a run, three walks, and six strikeouts, throwing 74 pitches, of which 50 were strikes. Leomar Rosario pitched for Fayetteville at the top of the fifth inning.
Rosario went one inning, allowing two walks and one strikeout, throwing 27 pitches, of which 12 were strikes. Rafael Gonzalez pitched for Fayetteville at the top of the sixth inning. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Fayetteville had the bases loaded with one out when D.J. Newman hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Arturo Flores for a 9-1 lead. German Ramirez was picked off at first base for the final out of the inning.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Fayetteville had a runner on third base with one out when Waner Luciano grounded out to third base, scoring Hector Salas for a 10-1 lead. A lineout by Carlos Cauro ended the inning.
Rafael Gonzalez went two innings, allowing five walks and struck out three, throwing 55 pitches, of which 26 were strikes. Brandon Cassedy pitched for Fayetteville at the top of the eighth inning. Cassedy went two innings, allowing a walk and struck out one, throwing 29 pitches, of which 15 were strikes.
The Woodpeckers won their fourth straight game by the final score of 10-1. They also won the series with two games to go, and have won five straight games. Fayetteville finished the night with nine hits, committed one error, went 2 for 8 with runners in scoring position, and left nine men on base.
Juan Sierra went 1 for 5 with a home run and four RBIs. Josh Wakefield went 3 for 4 with a walk and an RBI. The win went to Fayetteville pitcher Brandon Cassedy (2-0), and the loss went to Hill City starter Ryan Prager (2-3).
The Woodpeckers and Howlers play game five on Saturday at 7:05 pm on the MLB App and Bally Sports Live. Javier Perez (6-4, 3.71 ERA) will be on the mound for Fayetteville against Ryan DeSanto (3-1, 3.19 ERA) of Hill City.
