Mudcats earn doubleheader split with Wilmington
ZEBULON, N.C. - The Mudcats committed three costly errors while losing game one of Saturday's doubleheader 4-3, but Jake Gatewood drove in three and Jordan Yamamoto tossed a complete game shutout as the Mudcats took game two 5-0 while splitting Saturday's twin bill against the Blue Rocks at Five County
ZEBULON, N.C. - The Mudcats committed three costly errors while losing game one of Saturday's doubleheader 4-3, but Jake Gatewood drove in three and Jordan Yamamoto tossed a complete game shutout as the Mudcats took game two 5-0 while splitting Saturday's twin bill against the Blue Rocks at Five County Stadium.
The Mudcats (53-51, 17-19) took a two games to one lead in the series after splitting Saturday's doubleheader with the visiting Blue Rocks (57-49, 18-18). The game one loss snapped Carolina's win streak at four straight games, but the Mudcats improved to 5-1 over their last six after getting a shutout victory in game two.
Carolina also improved to 7-6 in shutouts this season after Yamamoto (4-3, 2.96) worked through a complete game gem in game two. Yamamoto struck out seven, walked three and scattered four hits over seven scoreless and pitched to a season high game score of 75 in game two. It was his second straight complete game victory and his fourth quality start of the season.
Game one, meanwhile, featured a game tying home run in the sixth from Lucas Erceg, but also included three costly errors that led to two unearned Wilmington runs. Erceg's home run was his 12th of the season and was third over his last three games.
The sixth inning homer from Erceg tied the game at 3-3, but Wilmington's D.J. Burt answered with the go-ahead run in the seventh while leading the Blue Rocks to the 4-3 victory. Burt started the seventh with a double, stole third and later scored on a two-out wild pitch lost by reliever Brad Kuntz in the final frame.
Kuntz (3-4, 2.70) suffered the loss despite striking out six and allowing just the one run on one hit over three and 1/3 innings pitched. He originally entered game one in place of starter Marcos Diplan and after Diplan had fallen into a bases loaded jam in the fourth. Kuntz eventually worked the Mudcats out of the fourth, but allowed an inherited runner to score in the process. Diplan allowed one earned run, but three total runs on just two hits over three and 2/3 in the start for the Mudcats.
Wilmington led 3-1 after its half of the fourth, but the Mudcats went on to rally for a run in the bottom side to pull within one at 3-2. Cooper Hummel drove in Carolina's lone run in the fourth after connecting on a bases loaded RBI single to left off Wilmington's starter A.J. Puckett. Hummel went 2-for-2 with a RBI in game one for Carolina.
Puckett (9-7, 3.90) gave up three runs on seven hits, walked three and struck out three in the victory. Luis Rico later pitched the last of the seventh and earned the save after striking out one and facing only three in the final frame.
The Mudcats were charged were with two errors in the second and one more error in the fourth, forcing two of the three Wilmington runs to be unearned in the game.
Erceg and Hummel led the way offensively for the Mudcats in game one, but it was Gatewood and Luis Aviles Jr. who lead the way behind Yamamoto's gem in game two.
The Mudcats led first in game two after Gatewood brought in Monte Harrison with a two-out RBI single to right. They then took a 4-0 lead in the third when Gatewood drove in two with a two-run double to right-center and Aviles brought in one with a sacrifice fly to center. Aviles later had a RBI single in the fifth while stretching the Carolina lead to 5-0 late in the twin bill shortened game.
Gatewood finished game two 2-for-3 with three RBIs and his team leading 33rd double of the season. Aviles went 2-for-2 with two RBIs and both Harrison and Isan Díaz scored twice in the 5-0 game two win.
UP NEXT: The Mudcats and Blue Rocks will play the final game of their four game series on Sunday with the first pitch scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at Five County Stadium. The game will air on the Mudcats Radio Network, The Big Dawg 98.5 FM and online at carolinamudcats.com via TuneIn Radio. It will also stream via live video on MiLB.tv.
# # #
Mudcats Single-Game Tickets On Sale Now
ZEBULON, N.C. – The Carolina Mudcats, the Class-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, today announced that single-game tickets for the 2025 season are on sale now at www.carolinamudcats.com, by calling (919) 269-2287 and by visiting the Five County Stadium front office in Zebulon. Single-game ticket availability opens up all of
Job Fair Event Set for Thursday, Feb. 27
ZEBULON, N.C. - The Carolina Mudcats are hiring! The Mudcats will host their annual job fair event on Thursday, February 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, N.C. Through the job fair, the Mudcats will look to fill open part-time game-day and seasonal full-time
Nick Stanley Returning as Manager of the Mudcats
ZEBULON, N.C. – The Carolina Mudcats, in conjunction with the Milwaukee Brewers, are thrilled to announce that Nick Stanley is returning as manager of the Mudcats for the 2025 season. The announcement came today as the Brewers announced their player development staff assignments for the 2025 season, including Minor League
Wilson Minor League Baseball To Unveil Team Name And Branding At Public Celebration On Friday, November 22
MILWAUKEE – Wilson’s new Class A affiliated Minor League Baseball Team, which will debut in a beautiful new stadium downtown in 2026, is inviting the public to celebrate the unveiling of the team’s name and branding next Friday, November 22. The event will be hosted by the Milwaukee Brewers (the
Cooper Pratt Named Rawlings Gold Glove Award Recipient
ZEBULON, N.C. – Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) and Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc., today announced that 2024 Carolina Mudcats shortstop Cooper Pratt has been named the Rawlings Gold Glove Award® winner for defensive excellence for the shortstop position. Pratt, 20, handled 338 total chances, helped turn 51 double plays and
Pratt, Stanley Honored with Postseason Awards
ZEBULON, N.C. – Coming off a season in which the Carolina Mudcats finished with a 78-51 record, the best mark in the Carolina League, it was announced on Thursday that infielder Cooper Pratt and manager Nick Stanley were honored by Minor League Baseball as postseason All-Star selections. Pratt, a sixth-round
Bitonti Named Brewers Minor League Player of the Month
ZEBULON, N.C - The Milwaukee Brewers announced Monday that Carolina Mudcats infielder Eric Bitonti has been named the organizations Minor League Player of the Month for August. Bitonti is coming off a month in which he posted a slash line of .207/.286/.494 with seven home runs and four doubles while
Mudcats Announce 2025 Season Schedule
ZEBULON, N.C. – The Carolina Mudcats, in conjunction with Major League Baseball, today announced their 2025 regular-season schedule beginning on Friday, April 4 with the season opener at Five County Stadium against the Fredericksburg Nationals. Download a PDF version of the schedule here. Key home dates include Independence Day Week
Castillo Named Carolina League Player Of The Month
ZEBULON, N.C - Just a week after being named the Carolina League Player of the Week, Carolina Mudcats outfielder, Luis Castillo, was named the Carolina League Player of the Month for July as announced on Tuesday morning. Castillo is coming off a month in which he posted a slash line
Castillo Named Carolina League Player Of The Week
ZEBULON, N.C. – The Carolina League announced Monday that Carolina Mudcats outfielder Luis Castillo has been named the Carolina League Player of the Week. Castillo is coming off a series at Salem in which he hit .556 with four home runs and collected 16 RBI while posting a 1.933 OPS.
Mudcats Pratt Named to MLB Futures Game
ZEBULON, N.C. – Carolina Mudcats infielder Cooper Pratt was named to the National League squad for the 2024 MLB Futures Game. The game will be played on Saturday, July 13 as part of MLB’s All-Star event held this year at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. “I’m just super excited
Mudcats Soar Past Columbia
ZEBULON, N.C. - The Carolina Mudcats scored a season-high 16 runs and recorded a season-best 21 hits as they won their third straight game over the Columbia Fireflies by a 16-2 score on Thursday night at Five County Stadium. Columbia (12-11) tied the game at one in the top of
Walk-Off Hit Lifts Mudcats Past Fireflies
ZEBULON, N.C. - Juan Baez singled past a drawn in infield allowing Cooper Pratt to score to lift the Carolina Mudcats to a 2-1 victory in 12 innings over the Columbia Fireflies at Five County Stadium on Wednesday night. Columbia (12-10) had a chance to win the game in the
Mudcats Claim Opener from Fireflies
ZEBULON, NC - The Carolina Mudcats collected 11 hits as they captured the series lidlifter from the Columbia Fireflies 8-3 on Tuesday night at Five County Stadium in Zebulon. Carolina (16-6) jumped out early as Daniel Guilarte tripled to open the bottom of the first and scored one batter later
Guilarte, Garcia Homer As Mudcats Snap Losing Streak in Series Finale
Carolina Mudcats 4 - Salem Red Sox 3 Box Score ZEBULON, NC – The Carolina Mudcats (15-6) got two big swings from Daniel Guilarte and Yhoswar Garcia and a terrific relief appearance from Josh Timmerman Sunday afternoon at Five County Stadium that helped secure a 4-3 win over the Salem
Mudcats Drop Third Straight to Red Sox
Salem Red Sox 4 - Carolina Mudcats 2 Box Score ZEBULON, NC – The Carolina Mudcats (14-6) could not hang onto a one-run lead late Saturday night at Five County Stadium as the Salem Red Sox (9-11) rallied to win 4-2 and claim their third straight victory. The loss guarantees
Garcia Records Three Hits in Mudcats Defeat to Salem
Salem Red Sox 3 - Carolina Mudcats 1 Box Score ZEBULON, NC – Another strong pitching performance from the Salem Red Sox (8-11) was too much to overcome for the Carolina Mudcats (14-5), who fell to the Red Sox 3-1 Friday night at Five County Stadium. The Mudcats have dropped
Mudcats Fall at Home To Salem
Salem Red Sox 3 - Carolina Mudcats 1 Box Score ZEBULON, NC – A comeback wasn't in the cards Thursday night at Five County Stadium as the Carolina Mudcats (14-4) fell to the Salem Red Sox (7-11) by a final score of 3-1. The loss was just the second home
Mudcats Come Back Again Late to Stun Red Sox
Carolina Mudcats 4 - Salem Red Sox 3 Box Score ZEBULON, NC – The Carolina Mudcats (14-3) once again trailed by a pair of runs in the late stages Wednesday afternoon at Five County Stadium but once again prevailed in a 4-3 comeback win over the Salem Red Sox (6-11).
Seventh-Inning Rally Gives Mudcats Thrilling Win in Series Opener
Carolina Mudcats 4 - Salem Red Sox 2 Box Score ZEBULON, NC – The Carolina Mudcats (13-3) found themselves needing another comeback on Tuesday night at Five County Stadium and once again, their offense delivered late. Trailing 2-0, the Mudcats scored four times in the bottom of the seventh to
Carolina Drops Rain-Shortened Series Finale in Augusta
Augusta GreenJackets 3 – Carolina Mudcats 1 (F/6) Box Score NORTH AUGUSTA, SC – The Carolina Mudcats (12-3) would not have enough time to try and pull out another comeback Sunday afternoon at SRP Park as the Augusta GreenJackets (7-8) took home a 3-1 win after the game was called
Mudcats Complete Another Comeback, Win Fourth Straight
Carolina Mudcats 9 – Augusta GreenJackets 7 Box Score NORTH AUGUSTA, SC – Once again, the Carolina Mudcats (12-2) weathered the storm early and exploded offensively late Saturday night at SRP Park as the Mudcats took down the Augusta GreenJackets (6-8) by a 9-7 final score. Carolina has won four
Rodriguez Go-Ahead Grand Slam in Ninth Powers Mudcats to Thrilling Win
Carolina Mudcats 5 – Augusta GreenJackets 3 Box Score NORTH AUGUSTA, SC – In a game where the Carolina Mudcats (11-2) struggled for offense all night long Friday night at SRP Park, all it took was one swing from Yophery Rodriguez to change things. The 18-year-old drove a breaking ball
Mudcats Squash Augusta Rally to Take Series Lead
NORTH AUGUSTA, SC – The Carolina Mudcats (10-2) lost an early three-run lead Thursday night at SRP Park, but a late surge in the eighth coupled with clutch pitching was enough to push them past the Augusta GreenJackets (6-6) for a 4-3 victory. With the win, Carolina has now stretched
Nicasia Homers Again as Mudcats Even Series
Carolina Mudcats 7 – Augusta GreenJackets 3 Box Score NORTH AUGUSTA, SC – Another big swing from Carolina Mudcats (9-2) outfielder Kay-Lan Nicasia proved to be the catalyst Wednesday night at SRP Park as the Mudcats came from behind to take down the Augusta GreenJackets (6-5), 7-3. Carolina evens the