Mudcats Rally in Extras to Even the Series

Fayetteville, NC - It was a back and forth marathon affair at Segra Stadium Friday night that featured an hour rain delay and several lead changes, but timely hitting from the Carolina Mudcats (16-15) proved to be the difference as they edged out the Fayetteville Woodpeckers (11-20) by a score of 5-4 in ten innings. With the win, the Mudcats evened the series at two apiece after dropping each of the last two contests.

Carolina grabbed the lead in the top of the second when Woodpeckers starting pitcher Nic Swanson lost control of a pitch that went to the backstop and allowed Mudcats outfielder Arbert Cipion to cross home plate and make it 1-0.

The Woodpeckers had to wait to get their revenge as a rain delay halted the ballgame in the bottom of the second. But the wait ended in the third inning when Joey Loperfido flew one out to center field to bring home Leosdany Molina on a sacrifice fly to tie the game at one. Fayetteville kept the offensive momentum going in the bottom of the sixth as Yeuris Ramirez singled to right field, scoring Miguel Palma and giving the Woodpeckers the 2-1 advantage.

Edinson Batista was tough to hit for most of the night out of the bullpen, pitching five innings and striking out ten batters, tying a Fayetteville reliever season record. However, one mistake pitch to Carolina’s Jesus Chirinos ended up leaving the ballpark and tied the game at two in the top of the seventh. The following inning, a wild pitch from Kasey Ford allowed Oswal Leones to bolt home and the Mudcats retook the lead, 3-2.

In the bottom half of the eighth, a two-out walk drawn by Palma coupled with a wild pitch put him in scoring position for Cody Orr. The Woodpeckers designated hitter ripped one down the left field line to pull Fayetteville even once more.

A scoreless ninth inning sent the game to extras for the second time in the series. Jayson Schroeder (L, 0-3) came in to pitch and issued a leadoff walk but quickly recovered to retire the next two batters. However, Hedbert Perez came up clutch for Carolina, lining a two-out single to right to chase home a pair of runs and propel the Mudcats in front, 5-3. Fayetteville made it interesting in the bottom half against Carolina reliever Michele Vassalotti, (W, 6-0) with Kenedy Corona scoring on a wild pitch to cut the lead to one with two outs. Orr was hit by a pitch and left the ballgame with Logan Cerny pinch running for him at first as the potential winning run, but Vassalotti fanned Ramirez on three pitches to strand the tying run on third in Palma.

With the series once again all square, the two teams meet Saturday afternoon at Segra Stadium in another rubber game. RHP Shea Barry will make his 2022 debut for the Woodpeckers while the Mudcats plan to go with RHP Brannon Jordan. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 ET.

GAME BOX SCORE: https://www.milb.com/gameday/669610/final/box