Alvarez and Neyens' Big Swings Carry Woodpeckers to First Win

Published on April 4, 2026 under Carolina League (CarL)
Fayetteville Woodpeckers News Release

FAYETTEVILLE, NC - The Fayetteville Woodpeckers (1-1) saw their two top prospects connect for a pair of go-ahead two-run doubles in the late innings on Saturday night to secure a 6-5 victory over the Wilson Warbirds (1-1) at Segra Stadium. The victory was Fayetteville's first of the new season and sets up a series rubber match for Sunday.

The lineup opened up the first of three separate leads with an RBI grounder from Josh Wakefield in the fourth inning. Nick Monistere connected for an RBI single in the fifth to stretch the lead to 2-0 against reliever Enderson Mercado.

The combo of Ethan Pecko and Jesus Carrera held Wilson scoreless across the first six innings. Pecko returned to Segra Stadium for the first time since 2024 on minor league rehab assignment and struck out four over two scoreless. Carrera entered in the third inning and cruised through four hitless frames with four strikeouts.

Wilson woke up in the seventh with three runs against Charlie Weber. Frederi Montero swatted a solo homer to right, then Juan Ortuno and Brady Ebel drew bases-loaded walks to grab Wilson's first lead at 3-2.

Neyens' opportunity arose in the bottom of the seventh with two runners on and one out. The 19-year-old delivered with a liner down the left field line off of Mercado that cleared the bases for the 4-3 lead.

Wilson leveled the game with a Yannic Walther sac-fly in the top of the eighth, setting the stage for Alvarez to come through in the bottom of the inning.

With the bases loaded and one out, the 18-year-old top prospect hammered a deep fly to right field that hopped over the wall for a ground-rule double and scored two for a 6-4 advantage.

Jackson Wells closed out the game in his professional debut, recording the final seven outs and earning his first winning decision as a pro.

The Woodpeckers will look for their first series win of the season on Easter Sunday in the final game of the three-game set. RHP Luis Aguilar is projected to start for Fayetteville and Wilson will counter with RHP Jarrette Bonet. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 PM. Stick around for after the game as kids can participate in our postgame Easter Egg hunt in the outfield!

Fayetteville Woodpeckers' Kevin Alvarez and Tanner Montgomery and Wilson Warbirds' Frederi Montero on game night

Carolina League Stories from April 4, 2026

• Three Kannapolis Bats Add a Home Run in 19-2 Walloping of Hill City Saturday - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
• Alvarez and Neyens' Big Swings Carry Woodpeckers to First Win - Fayetteville Woodpeckers
• Mathis Mashes Go-Ahead Ninth Inning Homer , Birds Topple 'Dogs, 5-4 - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
• Crawdads Late Rally Sparks Win over Fireflies - Hickory Crawdads
• Sosa Homers Again in 5-2 Loss - Columbia Fireflies
• RidgeYaks Hold off Shorebirds to Win Series - Delmarva Shorebirds
• Fayetteville Rallies Past Warbirds to Level Series - Wilson Warbirds
• James' First Pro Hit Earns Walk Off, Comeback Win for FredNats - Fredericksburg Nationals
• GreenJackets Falter Late in Second Straight Loss - Augusta GreenJackets
• RiverDogs Stir up Ninth-Inning Rally, Come up Just Short in Tea Party Thriller - Charleston RiverDogs
• Columbia Fireflies Game Notes at Hickory 4.4 - Columbia Fireflies

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