Mudcats Drop Both Games of Doubleheader

FAYETTEVILLE – Andre Nnebe hit a grand slam, Ashton McGee launched a three-run home run and Zavier Warren hit a two-run blast, but the Mudcats ended up on the bad end of a doubleheader sweep as the Woodpeckers won 9-3 and 12-9 on Wednesday night at SEGRA Stadium in Fayetteville.

Fayetteville (20-29) used the long ball to run away with a 9-3 victory in game one, and the Mudcats (28-21) nearly did the same in game two while using home runs to account for all nine of their runs. However, a costly error on a botched rundown in the sixth ended up being the difference as the Woodpeckers took the second game 12-9 while sweeping the doubleheader.

The Woodpeckers totaled four home runs in the first game, with three of the four coming off Carolina starter Jhoan Cruz. Jordan Brewer started the big fly barrage with a solo shot in the third that gave Fayetteville a 2-1 lead. Yohander Martinez then connected on a two-run blast that helped lift the lead to 5-1. Justin Dirden then lifted the lead to 7-1 in the fifth after hitting a two-run shot of his own.

Cruz (3-5, 8.16) ended up with the loss after allowing seven runs on seven hits over five innings pitched. He also totaled a career best nine strikeouts but gave up three homers in the loss.

Fayetteville’s final homer of the game came in the seventh when Luke Berryhill hit his fifth of the season against newly added reliever Jason Munsch. All five of Berryhill’s homers, coincidentally, have come against Mudcats pitchers this year.

Munsch pitched through two innings and allowed two runs on two hits in his professional debut. He also walked two and struck out three.

Shea Barry (1-1, 5.49) earned the game one victory after limiting the Mudcats to two runs on six hits over five innings. Reliever Ernesto Jaquez also threw well as he held Carolina to just one run and one hit over two innings.

Carolina wasted several bases loaded chances in game one and ended up settling for just three runs in the game. Holt drove in all three of Carolina’s runs one after going 1-for-3 with three RBI.

The second game saw the Mudcats take a 4-2 lead in the second on a grand slam from Nnebe. That grand slam was Carolina’s third of the year and the first home run for Nnebe this season.

The Woodpeckers came right back with three runs following the grand slam and scored twice more in the third while taking a 7-4 lead in the game. That changed in the next frame after McGee hit his game-tying, three-run blast and Warren hit his go-ahead shot in the fourth.

Carolina had a 9-7 lead in the fourth, but the Woodpeckers went on to tie the game at 9-9. They later added three runs in the sixth, with two coming on a botched rundown play between third and home. That play included a throwing error by Felix Valerio and ended up allowing the go-ahead runs as Fayetteville took game two 12-9.

Miguel Guerrero started the second game for the Mudcats and allowed seven runs and eight hits over two innings. He also walked three and struck out three.

Brock Begue (0-1, 4.81) followed Guerrero and ended up with the loss after seeing Fayetteville rally for four runs and four hits against him over his three innings pitched. Kent Hasler later worked the seventh and allowed two inherited runners to score.

The game two loss dipped the Mudcats down to second place in the Low-A East standings behind the Wood Ducks. It also resulted in Carolina’s season worst fifth straight loss.

GAME ONE

Fayetteville 9 @ Carolina 3

June 30, 2021 | Venue : SEGRA Stadium | First pitch : 4:02 PM | | T : 2:23

WP: Shea Barry (1 - 1) LP: Jhoan Cruz (3 - 5)

HOME RUNS:

Fayetteville HR : Brewer (2, 3rd inning off Cruz, Jh, 0 on, 2 out); Martinez (1, 4th inning off Cruz, Jh, 1 on, 2 out); Dirden (5, 5th inning off Cruz, Jh, 1 on, 2 out); Berryhill (5, 7th inning off Munsch, 1 on, 1 out).

TOP PERFORMERS - BATTERS:

Dirden, RF (Fayetteville): 3-for-4, 2 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 2 RBI

Ramirez, Y, 2B (Fayetteville): 2-for-2, 1 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 2 RBI

Martinez, SS (Fayetteville): 2-for-3, 1 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 2 RBI

Holt, 2B (Carolina): 1-for-3, 0 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 3 RBI

Campbell, LF (Carolina): 2-for-2, 1 R, 0 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI

TOP PERFORMERS - PITCHERS:

Munsch (Carolina): 2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO

Barry (W, 1-1) (Fayetteville): 5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 2 SO

Jaquez (Fayetteville): 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 SO

*SCORING PLAYS: *

Woodpeckers 2nd (Woodpeckers 1, Mudcats 0) -- Luke Berryhill hit by pitch. Justin Dirden singles to right field, Luke Berryhill to 2nd. Sean Mendoza strikes out swinging. Zach Daniels strikes out swinging. Yeuris Ramirez singles up the middle, Luke Berryhill scores; Justin Dirden to 2nd. Yohander Martinez grounds out, Zavier Warren to Ernesto Martinez.

(1 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors, 2 LOB)

Woodpeckers 3rd (Woodpeckers 2, Mudcats 0) -- Kenedy Corona strikes out swinging. Nathan Perry struck out looking. Jordan Brewer hits a home run to left-center field on a 0-1 pitch. Luke Berryhill flies out to Joey Wiemer.

(1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB)

Mudcats 3rd (Woodpeckers 2, Mudcats 1) -- Joey Wiemer singles to right-center field. Darrien Miller singles to left-center field, Joey Wiemer to 2nd. Noah Campbell walks, Joey Wiemer to 3rd; Darrien Miller to 2nd. Gabe Holt hit by pitch, Joey Wiemer scores; Darrien Miller to 3rd; Noah Campbell to 2nd. Freddy Zamora grounds into a force out, Sean Mendoza to Luke Berryhill, Darrien Miller out at home, Noah Campbell to 3rd; Gabe Holt to 2nd. Joe Gray Jr. grounds into double play, Sean Mendoza to Yeuris Ramirez to Nathan Perry, Freddy Zamora out at 2nd, Joe Gray Jr. out at 1st.

(1 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors, 2 LOB)

Woodpeckers 4th (Woodpeckers 5, Mudcats 1) -- Justin Dirden doubles to right field. Sean Mendoza grounds out, Freddy Zamora to Ernesto Martinez, Justin Dirden to 3rd. Zach Daniels strikes out swinging. Yeuris Ramirez singles to left-center field, Justin Dirden scores. Yohander Martinez hits a home run to left field on a 1-1 pitch, Yeuris Ramirez scores. Kenedy Corona strikes out swinging.

(3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB)

Woodpeckers 5th (Woodpeckers 7, Mudcats 1) -- Nathan Perry flies out to Joey Wiemer. Jordan Brewer struck out looking. Luke Berryhill walks. Justin Dirden hits a home run to left-center field on a 1-1 pitch, Luke Berryhill scores. Sean Mendoza flies out to Noah Campbell.

(2 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB)

Mudcats 5th (Woodpeckers 7, Mudcats 2) -- Joey Wiemer grounds out, Yeuris Ramirez to Nathan Perry. Darrien Miller walks. Noah Campbell singles to deep shortstop, Darrien Miller to 2nd. Gabe Holt singles to left field, Darrien Miller scores; Noah Campbell to 2nd. Freddy Zamora singles to left-center field, Noah Campbell to 3rd; Gabe Holt to 2nd. Joe Gray Jr. pops out to Sean Mendoza. Felix Valerio pops out to Yohander Martinez.

(1 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors, 3 LOB)

Woodpeckers 7th (Woodpeckers 9, Mudcats 2) -- Nathan Perry walks. Jordan Brewer struck out looking. Luke Berryhill hits a home run to right field on a 0-2 pitch, Nathan Perry scores. Justin Dirden grounds out to Ernesto Martinez. Sean Mendoza struck out looking.

(2 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB)

Mudcats 7th (Woodpeckers 9, Mudcats 3) -- Noah Campbell triples down the right-field line. Gabe Holt grounds out, Yeuris Ramirez to Nathan Perry, Noah Campbell scores. Freddy Zamora flies out to Jordan Brewer. Joe Gray Jr. walks. Felix Valerio walks, Joe Gray Jr. to 2nd.

(1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors, 2 LOB)

GAME TWO

Carolina 9 @ Fayetteville 12

June 30, 2021 | Venue : SEGRA Stadium | First pitch : 7:08 PM | Att : 2,308 | T : 3:51

WP: Freylin Garcia (1 - 1) LP: Brock Begue (0 - 1)

HOME RUNS:

Carolina HR : Nnebe (1, 2nd inning off Plumlee, 3 on, 2 out); McGee (2, 4th inning off Betances, 2 on, 1 out); Warren (8, 4th inning off Betances, 1 on, 2 out).

Fayetteville HR : Correa (3, 2nd inning off Guerrero, 1 on, 1 out).

TOP PERFORMERS - BATTERS:

Dirden, RF (Carolina): 3-for-4, 2 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 2 RBI

Ramirez, Y, 2B (Carolina): 2-for-2, 1 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 2 RBI

Martinez, SS (Carolina): 2-for-3, 1 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 2 RBI

Holt, 2B (Fayetteville): 1-for-3, 0 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 3 RBI

Campbell, LF (Fayetteville): 2-for-2, 1 R, 0 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI

TOP PERFORMERS - PITCHERS:

Holcomb (Fayetteville): 1.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO

Betances (BS, 1) (Fayetteville): 2.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO

Garcia, F (W, 1-1) (Fayetteville): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 1 SO

SCORING SUMMARY:

Woodpeckers 1st (Woodpeckers 2, Mudcats 0) -- Kenedy Corona flies out to Joey Wiemer. J.C. Correa doubles to center field. Nathan Perry walks. Nerio Rodriguez doubles to left-center field, J.C. Correa scores; Nathan Perry to 3rd. Sean Mendoza strikes out swinging. Justin Dirden hit by pitch. Zach Daniels singles to left field, Nathan Perry scores; Nerio Rodriguez to 3rd; Justin Dirden to 2nd. Yeuris Ramirez grounds out, Miguel Guerrero to Zavier Warren.

(2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors, 3 LOB)

Mudcats 2nd (Mudcats 4, Woodpeckers 2) -- Felix Valerio singles to right field. Zavier Warren lines out to Yeuris Ramirez. Joey Wiemer walks, Felix Valerio to 2nd. Alex Hall walks, Felix Valerio to 3rd; Joey Wiemer to 2nd. Daniel Castillo strikes out swinging. Andre Nnebe hits a grand slam to right-center field on a 3-1 pitch, Felix Valerio scores; Joey Wiemer scores; Alex Hall scores. Pitcher Change: Kevin Holcomb replaces Peyton Plumlee. Gabe Holt singles to center field. Gabe Holt steals 2nd base. Ashton McGee walks. Joe Gray Jr. hit by pitch, Gabe Holt to 3rd; Ashton McGee to 2nd. Felix Valerio grounds out, Sean Mendoza to J.C. Correa.

(4 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors, 3 LOB)

Woodpeckers 2nd (Woodpeckers 5, Mudcats 4) -- Ronaldo Urdaneta struck out looking. Kenedy Corona walks. J.C. Correa hits a home run to right field on a 1-2 pitch, Kenedy Corona scores. Nathan Perry singles to right field. Nerio Rodriguez singles up the middle, Nathan Perry to 2nd. Sean Mendoza singles to right-center field, Nathan Perry scores; Nerio Rodriguez to 3rd; Sean Mendoza to 2nd. Justin Dirden strikes out swinging. Zach Daniels grounds out, Felix Valerio to Zavier Warren.

(3 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors, 2 LOB)

Woodpeckers 3rd (Woodpeckers 7, Mudcats 4) -- Yeuris Ramirez singles through the hole at second base. Yeuris Ramirez steals 2nd base. Yeuris Ramirez steals 3rd base. Ronaldo Urdaneta walks. Pitcher Change: Brock Begue replaces Miguel Guerrero. Kenedy Corona out on a sacrifice bunt, Alex Hall to Zavier Warren, Ronaldo Urdaneta to 2nd. J.C. Correa walks. Nathan Perry out on a sacrifice fly to Joey Wiemer, Yeuris Ramirez scores; Ronaldo Urdaneta to 3rd. Nerio Rodriguez singles to right-center field, Ronaldo Urdaneta scores; J.C. Correa to 2nd. Sean Mendoza struck out looking.

(2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors, 2 LOB)

Mudcats 4th (Mudcats 9, Woodpeckers 7) -- Daniel Castillo strikes out swinging. Andre Nnebe walks. Andre Nnebe steals 2nd base. Gabe Holt walks. Pitcher Change: Jose Betances replaces Kevin Holcomb. Ashton McGee hits a home run to right field on a 1-1 pitch, Andre Nnebe scores; Gabe Holt scores. Joe Gray Jr. struck out looking. Felix Valerio bunt singles to shallow left field. Throwing error by Jose Betances on the pickoff attempt. Zavier Warren hits a home run to left field on a 3-2 pitch, Felix Valerio scores. Joey Wiemer struck out looking.

(5 Runs, 3 Hits, 1 Errors, 0 LOB)

Woodpeckers 4th (Mudcats 9, Woodpeckers 9) -- Justin Dirden singles to deep second base. Justin Dirden steals 2nd base. Zach Daniels walks. Yeuris Ramirez flies out to Joey Wiemer. Ronaldo Urdaneta singles through the hole at shortstop, Justin Dirden scores; Zach Daniels to 2nd. Zach Daniels steals 3rd base, Ronaldo Urdaneta steals 2nd base. Kenedy Corona out on a sacrifice fly to Joe Gray Jr., Zach Daniels scores. J.C. Correa pops out to Felix Valerio.

(2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors, 1 LOB)

Woodpeckers 6th (Woodpeckers 12, Mudcats 9) -- Yeuris Ramirez singles to center field. Yeuris Ramirez steals 2nd base. throwing error by Alex Hall. Ronaldo Urdaneta walks. Pitcher Change: Kent Hasler replaces Brock Begue. Ronaldo Urdaneta steals 2nd base. Kenedy Corona reaches on a fielder's choice, fielded by Ashton McGee, Yeuris Ramirez scores; Ronaldo Urdaneta scores; Kenedy Corona to 3rd; missed catch error by Alex Hall. J.C. Correa singles to left-center field, Kenedy Corona scores. J.C. Correa caught stealing 2nd base, Alex Hall to Daniel Castillo. Nathan Perry strikes out swinging. Nerio Rodriguez strikes out swinging.

(3 Runs, 2 Hits, 2 Errors, 0 LOB)