Big Inning Undoes Bagwell’s Dominance in Season Opener
Big Inning Undoes Bagwell’s Dominance in Season Opener Bullpen Loses Grip on Late Lead as GreenJackets Fall 5-3 FREDERICKSBURG, VA: Kicking off the 2026 season on the road, the GreenJackets received a brilliant start from Ethan Bagwell, but it was not enough to find victory as Augusta fell 5-3 on
Big Inning Undoes Bagwell’s Dominance in Season Opener
Bullpen Loses Grip on Late Lead as GreenJackets Fall 5-3
FREDERICKSBURG, VA: Kicking off the 2026 season on the road, the GreenJackets received a brilliant start from Ethan Bagwell, but it was not enough to find victory as Augusta fell 5-3 on Opening Night.
Returning to Augusta after an injury-marred first pro season in 2025, Bagwell proved immediately he is back at full health by retiring the first 12 batters he faced in quick succession. After pitching to soft contact last year, the young righty appears to have found some swing and miss ability, punching out four in the first 9 batters. Bagwell’s breaking ball provided the biggest advantage, as he proved capable of spinning it in any count to righties and lefties alike.
While Bagwell kept Fredericksburg’s bats at bay, the Jackets jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the third against Leuris Portorreal. It was another second-year GreenJacket who broke the ice, as Nick Montgomery ambushed a hanging breaking ball and crushed it over the wall and out of Virginia Credit Union Stadium entirely. Montgomery clubbed five long balls last year, and jumped onto the total early in his sophomore season.
Augusta added some insurance in the middle innings against reliever Grant Manning, pushing across a run in both the fifth and sixth innings. After a pair of walks set the stage in the 5th, Conor Essenburg picked a fine time for his first pro hit with a two-out single to score Cooper McMurray from second. One inning later, Luis Guanipa took the reigns, as he doubled, stole third, and trotted home on an errant throw from the catcher.
Augusta’s bats went quiet in the late innings, and it was in the bottom of the 7th that things fell apart. Bagwell worked six hitless innings, with a walk and hit batter his only blemishes. The bullpen found less success against the loaded FredNat lineup, and immediately faced challenges.
It was a rough pro debut for Ryan Heppner, who came in and immediately hit Yeremy Cabrera before walking Ronny Cruz on four pitches. Heppner found the zone thereafter, but perhaps too much so, as he allowed a two-run double to Luke Dickerson and an RBI Triple to Jacob Walsh that tied the game before he was pulled.
Drew Christo fared no better once Fredericksburg had momentum, as he walked the first man he saw and then allowed a sacrifice fly to Sir Jamison Jones to give the FredNats the lead. One pitch later, top prospect Eli Willitts flared a double down the left field line that plated another run, giving Fredericksburg a five-run frame.
The GreenJackets were held hitless in the final two innings, as closer Jacob Roberts worked around a pair of 9th inning walks to slam the door and secure a season-opening win for the home side. The win was granted to Bryant Olson, who went 1.1 hitless innings himself to allow the home side to stay within striking distance.
It’s a quick turnaround for both teams as tomorrow brings a matinee game and 1:35 start time to Virginia Credit Union Stadium. Both starting pitchers will be making their pro debuts, with Zach Royse set to go for the GreenJackets and Nolan Hughes taking the hill for the FredNats.
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