Rudy Gets First Career Win in 4-3 Carolina Victory

Jace Avina had two hits including a two-run home run in the fifth

Will Rudy - Carolina Mudcats (Credit: Neal Hock)

May 11, 2023

FBG: 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 3 6 2
CAR: 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 x 4 8 1

WP: Will Rudy (1 - 0) LP: Luke Young (0 - 1) SV: Chase Costello (1)

Manager Victor Estevez Post-Game Interview

ZEBULON, N.C. – Jace Avina hit a two-run home run in the fifth, Will Rudy earned his first career victory and Chase Costello turned in three and 1/3 solid innings in relief to earn his first save as the Carolina Mudcats defeated the Fredericksburg Nationals 4-3 on Thursday night at Five County Stadium.

Avina’s home run in the fifth proved to be the difference as it capped a three-run rally that saw the Mudcats (16-12) take a 4-1 lead halfway through. The game was tied 1-1 going into the fifth before Kay-Lan Nicasia scored the go-ahead run with help of a throwing error by second baseman Cortland Lawson. The run-scoring error came on a delayed double steal that saw Luis Lara take second and Nicasia score from third on Lawson's errant throw. Avina followed two batters later with what was his third home run of the season to give the Mudcats the lead for good.

The three-run fifth came just in time to help Rudy (W, 1-0) earn his first career victory as the Mudcats rallied right after Rudy completed his final inning. Rudy scattered three hits and allowed one run while working through the fifth. He also totaled two strikeouts and reached 65 pitches (43 strikes) in what was just his second professional outing.

The FredNats (10-18) did manage to score twice in the sixth off reliever Jeferson Figueora to cut the Carolina lead to 4-3, but Costello (S, 1) quelled the threat by stranding three inherited runners with a strikeout of Brandon Boissiere to end the inning. Costello then returned for the seventh and went on to hold the Nationals scoreless the rest of the way. In all, Costello pitched through three and 1/3 innings with three strikeouts and two hits. He also left the bases loaded in the sixth and left the tying run on in the ninth.

The FredNats now lead 2-1 in the six-game series as Thursday’s victory was Carolina’s first of their current homestand. The series will continue on Friday night with RHP Aidan Maldonado getting the start for the Mudcats.

The current homestand next continues with CBS 17 Friday Night Fireworks, UNC Health Johnston Souvenir Saturday featuring a reversible Pescados de Carolina souvenir bucket hat and WakeMed Five County Family Sunday with $7.00 Box Seat tickets and on-field post-game catch.

HOME RUNS:
Carolina: HR: Avina (3, 5th inning off Young, 1 on, 1 out).

TOP PERFORMERS - BATTERS:
Lawson, 2B (Fredericksburg): 1-for-4, 1 2B, 2 RBI
House, 3B (Fredericksburg): 1-for-4, 1 R, 1 2B
Avina, RF (Carolina): 2-for-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI
Nicasia, DH (Carolina): 1-for-3, 2 R
Guilarte, SS (Carolina): 2-for-3

TOP PERFORMERS - PITCHERS:
Cornelio (Fredericksburg): 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 0 SO
Rodriguez (Fredericksburg): 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO
Rudy (W, 1-0) (Carolina): 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO
Costello (S, 1) (Carolina): 3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO

SCORING:
Mudcats 1st (Mudcats 1, Nationals 0) -- Kaylan Nicasia walks. Luis Lara walks, Kaylan Nicasia to 2nd. Hedbert Perez flies out to Elijah Green, Kaylan Nicasia to 3rd. Kaylan Nicasia out at , Maxwell Romero Jr. to Armando Cruz. Jace Avina walks. Daniel Guilarte walks, Jace Avina to 2nd. Gregory Barrios grounds out, Armando Cruz to Branden Boissiere.
(1 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 2 LOB)

Nationals 2nd (Nationals 1, Mudcats 1) -- Brady House doubles to right-center field. Elijah Green grounds out, Daniel Guilarte to Jesus Parra, Brady House to 3rd. Branden Boissiere singles to right-center field, Brady House scores. Maxwell Romero Jr. lines into double play, Luis Lara to Jesus Parra, Branden Boissiere out at 1st.
(1 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB)

Mudcats 5th (Mudcats 4, Nationals 1) -- Kaylan Nicasia singles to right-center field. Luis Lara singles to right-center field, Kaylan Nicasia to 2nd. Hedbert Perez flies out to Elijah Green, Kaylan Nicasia to 3rd. Luis Lara steals 2nd base, Kaylan Nicasia scores; Luis Lara to 3rd; throwing error by Cortland Lawson. Jace Avina hits a home run to left-center field on a 2-1 pitch, Luis Lara scores. Daniel Guilarte singles to right field. Daniel Guilarte caught stealing 2nd base, Maxwell Romero Jr. to Cortland Lawson. Gregory Barrios pops out to Maxwell Romero Jr. in foul territory.
(3 Runs, 4 Hits, 1 Errors, 0 LOB)

Nationals 6th (Mudcats 4, Nationals 3) -- Pitcher Change: Jeferson Figueroa replaces Will Rudy. Armando Cruz walks. Brenner Cox walks, Armando Cruz to 2nd. Wild pitch by Jeferson Figueroa, Armando Cruz to 3rd; Brenner Cox to 2nd. Johnathon Thomas walks. Cortland Lawson doubles to left-center field, Armando Cruz scores; Brenner Cox scores; Johnathon Thomas to 3rd. Daylen Lile walks. Brady House strikes out swinging. Elijah Green strikes out swinging. Pitcher Change: Chase Costello replaces Jeferson Figueroa. Branden Boissiere strikes out on foul tip.
(2 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors, 3 LOB)