Woodpeckers Open Season with 15-Run Showing

Jake Adams Leads the Way with Seven RBI

Fayetteville Woodpeckers batter Jake Adams follows through on his long, run-scoring single to the wall in left-center field during the third inning Thursday against Potomac at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, Va. [Photo by Patrick Obley] (Patrick Obley)

By Matt Sabados

April 5, 2019

The Fayetteville Woodpeckers did not make any friends in their Carolina League debut on Thursday night, clobbering the Potomac Nationals 15-0 in Woodbridge. The evening featured multiple diverging storylines, including a seven-RBI performance from first baseman Jake Adams, an eight run fourth inning, and a combined one-hitter from the pitching staff.The Fayetteville Woodpeckers did not make any friends in their Carolina League debut on Thursday night, clobbering the Potomac Nationals 15-0 in Woodbridge. The evening featured multiple diverging storylines, including a seven-RBI performance from first baseman Jake Adams, an eight run fourth inning, and a combined one-hitter from the pitching staff.

After the first seven batters were retired in order, Michael Papierski collected the first hit in Woodpeckers history, a double to right-center field. Following a pair of walks, Papierski scored the first run in Woodpeckers history as well, coming in on a single by Corey Julks. The Woodpeckers eventually scored four total runs in the third inning, two coming on a single from Jake Adams. Entering the fourth, the Woodpeckers found multiple ways to reach base safely, as each of the first eight batters of the frame all made their way to first base, and eventually home, when the eight-run inning culminated in a grand slam off the bat of Adams, the first home run in Woodpeckers history.
While the offense teed off on Potomac pitching, Fayetteville hurlers kept the Nationals off of the scoreboard all night. While four separate pitchers allowed a total of 13 Potomac baserunners, the Nationals were only able to manage a single hit, a bloop single to left field in the sixth inning.
Fayetteville eventually padded their intense lead later, tallying on two runs in the seventh and another in the eighth, the last of which being driven in on an RBI single from Adams, who finished the day with a career 4-for-6 performance at the plate with his grand slam and seven RBI.
The two teams will square off again tomorrow evening for game two of the four game tilt, with a 7:05PM first pitch in Woodbridge. JP France is scheduled to take the mound for Fayetteville, and Jackson Tetrault will oppose him for Potomac.