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Woodpeckers Trounce Keys in Series Opener

Hot Start Leads to Fayetteville Victory Over Frederick at Segra Stadium
April 23, 2019

It was a complete team victory in front of the Fayetteville faithful tonight. The Woodpeckers nearly doubled their season high hits at Segra Stadium with 13 total. The game was highlighted by a 3-run home run for Miguelangel Sierra and the first three hit day of Michael Papierski's career. The

It was a complete team victory in front of the Fayetteville faithful tonight. The Woodpeckers nearly doubled their season high hits at Segra Stadium with 13 total. The game was highlighted by a 3-run home run for Miguelangel Sierra and the first three hit day of Michael Papierski's career. The Fayetteville pitching staff also allowed just one run as the Woodpeckers cruised to a 8-1 win over the Keys.  

Fayetteville began the game with one of the best innings of the year. Bryan De La Cruz kicked things off with a leadoff single in the bottom of the first for his 19th hit of the year. Michael Papierski and Seth Beer followed up with a base hit a piece, setting up a bases loaded situation for Jake Adams. The Iowa product earned an RBI and brought De La Cruz home after getting hit by a pitch from Keys' starter Brenan Hanifee.  
That was just the start for the Fayetteville offense. Papierski came home on a fielders choice to make it 2-0. Jacob Meyers knocked in two more with a two RBI double. That's five RBI's in as many games for Meyers to go along with an eight-game hitting streak. Miguelangel Sierra completed the inning with a three-run blast over the fence for his third homer of the year. Sierra's long ball gave the Woodpeckers a 7-0 lead after just six outs of play.  
All in all, ten Fayetteville batters got to the plate in the bottom of the first the most in Segra Stadium history. The Woodpeckers also added the most hits and runs in the short history of the ballpark, with five and seven respectively.  
Fayetteville's Seth Beer extended the lead by one with a ground ball to left field that scored Michael Papierski. Beer, who yesterday was named Carolina League player of the week, has 18 RBIs to his name on the young season. Right fielder Corey Julks finished the day going 3-4 and stealing the first two bases for Fayetteville at home this year.
The lone score for Frederick crossed home plate in the top of the 7th off Woodpeckers' reliever JP France. Stuart Levy smacked a two bagger to score Trevor Craport. That was the only blemish on the final line for JP France who struck out four while facing the Key's order two times around. 
Woodpeckers' starting pitcher Chad Donato earned his second win of the year. The right handed hurler pitched five scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and striking out a season high eight batters.  
It was a good start to the three game tilt for the Woodpeckers who move to 11-8 on the season. The Keys fall to 8-10 overall. Fayetteville leads the all-time series 4-0 against Frederick. The home stand continues tomorrow for the Woodpeckers, start time vs. the Keys is set for 7:00p.m.