Woodies were Hot in K-Town!

4/18 Game Recap

By: Maddy Meehan

The Down East Wood Ducks were thirsty for runs on Thirsty Thursday as the host the Delmarva Shorebirds for game 3. The Shorebirds started the game strong with a double from Sosa, but ultimately Sosa was thrown out trying to steal third. The Wood Ducks got the ball rolling early in the first, starting with a Figuereo walk, followed by a Brock single, and a Disla double (scoring Figuereo). Brock was able to score on a sacrifice fly to center field by Smith to put the Woodies up 2-0 after the 1^st inning. It is a quick 2^nd inning as both teams went three up, three down. Delmarva went three up, three down in the 3^rd. Disla hit a single for the Woodies but was left stranded on first.

Delmarva got off to a fast start in the fourth with a lead-off double from Tavera, who then stole 3^rd. Tavera was ultimately stranded, as the other Shorebirds failed to put the ball in play. Smith started off the bottom of the 4^th with a triple, then immediately scored off a sacrifice fly from Cueva to centerfield. Pollard singled on a fly ball to right field, then stole 2^nd. Beck throws a wild pitch for the Shorebirds, which allowed Pollard to steal third. Specht singled on a line drive to center scoring Pollard. The Wood Ducks were up 4-0 after the 4^th inning. Delmarva started the 5^th inning with a single from Tejada, followed by a strikeout, and a fielding error by the Wood Ducks second baseman (Pollard), which advanced Tejada to third. Tejada is ultimately left stranded due to a pop out and a lineout. Smith was walked, and then stole 2^nd base. Cueva then singled to left field, allowing Smith to score. Wood Ducks were up 5-0 after 5 innings. Both the Shorebirds and the Woodies went three up, three down in the 6^th.

The Shorebirds are finally able to get 1 run on the board via a walk, single, hit by a pitch, and a force out. Lopez hits a solo homerun for the Woodies, putting them up 6-1 after 7 innings. It was a busy 8^th inning for both teams. Sosa is hit by a pitch followed by a De Los Santos single, and fielding error by the Wood Ducks third baseman (Figuereo). Sosa was able to score on a balk, advancing De Los Santos to third and Tejada to second. Hodo was then hit by a pitch to load the bases for the Shorebirds. The Wood Ducks were able to only give up one run during the 8^th inning, and the Shorebirds left several runners stranded. The Wood Ducks were able to tack on 2 more runs in the 8^th starting with a Torres walk then back-to-back singles from Specht and Figuereo, scoring Torres. Specht was able to score on a wild pitch. The Wood Ducks were up 8-2 after 8 innings. The Shorebirds left one stranded in the top of 9^th inning. Wood Ducks win 8-2 without having to play the bottom of the 9^th inning.

Weatherly earned the loss after pitching 3.1 innings with 4 hits, and 6 strikeouts for Delmarva. Larsen was awarded the win for the Wood Ducks (3.2 IP, 3 H, 2 K). Marucs Smith had a strong night hitting for the Wood Ducks going 2-2 with 1 walk, 2 runs, and 1 RBI.

The Wood Ducks host the Delmarva Shorebirds for game 4 tomorrow at Historic Grainger Stadium located in Kinston, North Carolina. First pitch is set for 7:00 pm. Gates open at 6:00 pm. Join the Wood Ducks for Mother Earth Friday and 90s Night. All Mother Earth Draft will be $4. Fans can also bring non-perishable food items to donate, and they will receive $2 off their ticket. The first 1,000 fans will receive a Wood Ducks themed scarf sponsored by the UPS Store and MedSource Pharmacy. Fans can purchase tickets on woodducksbaseball.com, by calling the Wood Ducks Team Offices at (252) 686-5164 or in person at the Wood Ducks Team Offices located at Grainger Stadium.