Comeback ‘Cats Strike Again and Take Series With 4-3 Win 

Carolina Mudcats 4 @ Fayetteville Woodpeckers 3

WP: Jose Chavez (2-0) LP: Tyler Guilfoil (3-3)

Fayetteville, N.C. - A Luis Lara RBI double cut the lead to one, Jace Avina tied the game with a single, and Blayberg Diaz’s RBI single put the Mudcats up by one in the ninth inning. Carolina took game six 4-3 and took the series four games to two.

Carolina (23-13, 56-43) fell behind early to Fayetteville (15-21, 45-57) and trailed most of the game. The Mudcats struggled all game to get their offense rolling but kept the game close enough to be able to make a run in the ninth. Carolina only had eight hits all game with five coming in the ninth-inning comeback.

Entering the ninth Carolina was down 3-1 and needed to string together a set of hits to make a comeback. Jesus Chirinos started the inning with a double giving the Mudcats life. Luis Lara followed that up with a double of his own to make it a 3-2 game. Jace Avina hit a single to bring in the tying run. Luis Castillo then continued his good play in the series by hitting a single-moving Jace Avina into scoring position. Blayberg Diaz then had an RBI single and brought in what turned out to be the game-winning run.

Carolina’s pitchers kept the game close neutralizing Fayetteville’s offense for the most part. Aidan Maldonado got the start and went two and two-thirds innings. Maldonado gave up two hits and one run while adding a strikeout in his start. Will Childers was the first pitcher in relief, going four and one-third innings. Childers gave up seven hits and two runs but added four strikeouts in his outing.

Jose Chavez (W, 2-0) picked up the win by pitching the eighth inning. Chavez gave up one hit and no runs in his win. Tyler Wehrle (S, 2) picked up the save pitching a scoreless ninth inning. After walking two, Wehrle found himself in a pressure situation with only one out. Wehrle closed the inning by going strikeout, hit by pitch, and strikeout.

Carolina finished their trip at Fayetteville winning the series 4-2. The Mudcats are off on Monday but return home for a series against the Delmarva Shorebirds starting Tuesday. The first pitch for Tuesday's game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.