FredNats have to play two to win first crown since move

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. -- The Nationals' Single-A affiliate has a new entry in its history book. Fredericksburg took home its first Carolina League title since relocating from Potomac in 2020.

After rain postponed Game 2 on Tuesday, the FredNats hosted Kannapolis in a seven-inning doubleheader for the championship on Wednesday. After the Cannon Ballers almost no-hit their hosts in the first game of the evening, Fredericksburg battled back for a 3-0 victory in the winner-takes-all finale at Virginia Credit Union Stadium.

“We couldn’t script it any better," FredNats manager Jake Lowery said. “It seems like we’ve just been winning. The last three out of four seasons we’ve had winning seasons, above .500 and I think it [means] a lot for the city.”

At the center of the run was MLB’s No. 92 prospect Travis Sykora. The right-hander ended the regular season with a 2.33 ERA and 129 punchouts in 85 innings.

And the team turned to Sykora, who was named the Carolina League Pitcher of the Year just hours before first pitch, to close out the Championship Series. Washington’s 2023 third-round pick maintained his 0.00 ERA in the postseason by allowing just one hit while striking out nine over five innings against the Cannon Ballers.

“He was our Minor League pitcher of the year as well,” Lowery said. “Today he showed up and just showed us exactly what he does, start in and start out. It's just the icing on the cake of his great season.”

Brandon Pimentel, who led the Carolina League with 115 hits and 85 RBIs, backed the Nationals' No. 3 prospect just like he had in the regular season. After Caleb Lomavita (WSH No. 10) singled in the second inning, the left-handed hitter swung at the first offering from Kannapolis righty Mason Moore (White Sox). The ball sailed into the visiting bullpen in right field.

The FredNats added an insurance run in the sixth on Nathaniel Ochoa Leyva's RBI single, and righty relievers Robert Cranz and Anthony Arguelles closed out the victory with a scoreless frame apiece.

“These guys got put in positions, Ochoa Leyva moving out to left field made a nice catch, [Jorgelys] Mota had to go back over to third because of an injury, these guys just rose to the occasion,” Lowery said. “You never know when your name is going to get called but these guys have gelled well all season and it’s been fun to watch.”

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Throughout the season, the FredNats' goal was simple: Win each series. Lowery said setting a standard like that helps develop players in the organization with winning mentalities, preparing them to step up when needed.

“Most teams end their season on a loss and we end on a win, and that's something that we can hang our hats on as champions,” Lowery said.