Woodpeckers Drop Series Finale in Fredericksburg

FREDERICKSBURG, VA - The Fayetteville Woodpeckers (9-6) could not overcome a slow start Sunday afternoon at Virginia Credit Union Stadium as the Fredericksburg Nationals (9-6) took down the Woodpeckers, 6-2. Despite the loss, Fayetteville still leaves Fredericksburg with a series split.

The FredNats took a 2-0 lead in the first against Woodpeckers starter Raimy Rodriguez (L, 1-1). Brandon Pimentel continued his strong series for Fredericksburg with an RBI single to open the scoring before a sacrifice fly from Jose Colmenares doubled the home team’s edge. Rodriguez would concede another run in the third inning on a Brenner Cox sac fly before departing.

Ben Petschke took over on the mound in the fourth and the Nationals put together a strong two-out rally against the righty. A passed ball allowed Nathaniel Ochoa Levya to come home to make it 4-0 and Pimentel came up clutch again with a two-run double to push Fredericksburg’s lead to six.

After not being able to solve the FredNats pitching duo of Travis Sthele and Mason Denaburg (W, 1-0), Fayetteville finally broke through offensively in the top of the eighth. Yamal Encarnacion brought home Alberto Hernandez on an RBI single to end the shutout bid. Later in the inning, Encarnacion scored on an Anthony Sherwin groundout. The Woodpeckers had two runners in scoring position with two outs, but Fredericksburg reliever Kevin Rodriguez (SV, 1) pitched his way out of danger, inducing a Nehomar Ochoa groundout to end the inning. Rodriguez returned to the ninth and quickly got the final three outs of the game.

Fayetteville returns home to Segra Stadium on Tuesday night for the first of six games against the Down East Wood Ducks. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 PM.

FULL BOX SCORE: https://www.milb.com/gameday/753939/final/box