Woodpeckers Threaten In Ninth But Fall to Kannapolis on Education Day
Fayetteville, NC - The Fayetteville Woodpeckers (5-11) cut within a pair of runs and brought the game-winning run to the plate in the ninth inning on Wednesday afternoon, but were unable to complete a comeback against the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (8-8) in a 4-2 defeat at Segra Stadium. Wednesday’s action
Fayetteville, NC - The Fayetteville Woodpeckers (5-11) cut within a pair of runs and brought the game-winning run to the plate in the ninth inning on Wednesday afternoon, but were unable to complete a comeback against the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (8-8) in a 4-2 defeat at Segra Stadium. Wednesday’s action kicked off early at 11:05 AM as over 4,500 students and teachers filled the park on Education Day.
The day started strong for Ernesto Jaquez (L, 0-2), who struck out the side and worked around a hit batter in the top of the first. In the second inning, Jaquez allowed a two-out RBI double to Wilber Sanchez and an RBI single to Samil Polanco that gave Kannapolis an early 2-0 lead.
Fayetteville’s lineup was unable to solve Kannapolis starter Noah Owen (W, 3-0), who fired five scoreless innings, allowed three hits, one walk and struck out three.
Jaquez was lifted from the game in the fourth after allowing Sanchez to reach on a single. He later scored to make it a 3-0 game after reliever Ronny Garcia uncorked a wild pitch.
Facing Carlos Calderon in the seventh, Jame Beard led off the inning with a solo home-run to right field, jumping Kannapolis to their largest lead of the day at 4-0. Kenedy Corona delivered the only RBI swing in the bottom of the seventh inning after Cody Orr walked and Victor Mascai doubled. Corona connected for a liner to right field off Garrett Schoenle that scored both runners and cut the game in half at 4-2.
The Woodpeckers made one last push in the ninth once Mascai walked and Corona reached on a fielding error by third baseman Wes Kath. With two on and no outs, Frander Veras (S, 1) struck out Quincy Hamilton, Logan Cerny flied out to center field and Leosdany Molina lined out to shortstop ending the game.
Due to Tuesday’s postponement, a double-header will be played between the two sides on Thursday. First pitch for Game 1 is scheduled for 4:30 pm ET with Game 2 starting no earlier than 7:05 pm ET.