Aguilar and Segovia lead the way as Carolina earns its first win of 2019

KINSTON, N.C. - Ryan Aguilar went 2-for-2 with three RBI, Joantgel Segovia totaled three hits for the second consecutive night and starter Nelson Hernandez allowed just one run on four hits over five innings as the Mudcats defeated the Wood Ducks 7-2 to earn their first win of the season on Friday night at Grainger Stadium. 

Aguilar lifted the Mudcats (1-1) to a 2-0 lead when he drove in two with a two-out double in the second off Down East (1-1) starter Tyler Thomas. Aguilar also walked with the bags full in the sixth to force in a run and ended up going 2-for-2 with three RBI and a run scored on Friday night. Thomas (0-1, 4.50) took the loss for Down East after allowing two runs over four innings in his start.
The Wood Ducks went on to get a run back in the last of the second to make it 2-1, but Hernandez (1-0, 1.80) held the lead while earning his first win and leading the Mudcats to their first win of the season. Hernandez struck out five, walked two and allowed one run on four hits over five innings in the victory.
Carolina led 2-1 after the second, but added a run in the sixth and seventh before breaking things open with three more in the eighth. Those three runs came in on back-to-back run scoring doubles from Segovia and Eddie Silva. 
For Segovia, his double drove in one while bouncing over the right-center field wall. It was also his third hit of the game, giving him a 3-for-5 night for the second consecutive game. Silva's double was a two-run blast that hit the wall in left, he finished the game going 1-for-5 with two RBI.
Reliever Alex Eubanks allowed all three Carolina runs in the eighth. He also worked the seventh and allowed four runs on five hits overall in two innings for the Wood Ducks. Sal Mendez worked the fifth and sixth, allowing an unearned run on three hits. He also struck out five and walked two. Emmanuel Clase pitched the ninth for Down East and struck out two while holding the Mudcats scoreless.
Carolina's bullpen trio of Cody Beckman, J.T. Hintzen and Chris Dula combined to total seven strikeouts and just one run allowed on three hits over the final four innings of Friday's road victory. Beckman (H, 1) followed Hernandez and pitched through two perfect frames with three strikeouts. Hintzen worked the eighth and struck out three around giving up a run on two hits. Dula then pitched the ninth and struck out one while facing four in the final frame.
The road win was Carolina's first of the 2019 season and tied the series at a game apiece in Kinston. The Mudcats will next look to take a two games to one lead in the four game set with a victory and with starter Noah Zavolas (0-0, -.--) set to make his Mudcats and Milwaukee Brewers organization debut on Saturday at Grainger Stadium. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. and will air live on The Big Dawg 98.5 FM and online via carolinamudcats.com, TuneIn Radio and the MiLB First Pitch App.
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