Late Two-Run Rally Sees Hillcats Past Woodpeckers in Series Finale
April 6, 2025 - Carolina League (CarL)
Fayetteville Woodpeckers News Release
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - For the second straight night, the Fayetteville Woodpeckers (1-2) took a one-run lead into the top of the ninth. However, the Lynchburg Hillcats (2-1) followed a similar script and mounted a late comeback to seal the win as well as an opening series win.
Early on, the Fayetteville offense found a spark. Esmil Valencia roped a two-run double to left-center field, giving the Woodpeckers a 2-0 edge in the first inning.
Lynchburg scored one run apiece in the second and third innings to tie the score, but the Woodpeckers answered back in the bottom of the fourth. Carlos Cauro launched a two-run home run onto the berm in left field, the first Fayetteville home run of the 2025 season, and Cesar Hernandez followed up with a solo shot of his own which grazed the right-center field wall, forging Fayetteville ahead 5-2.
The Hillcats responded with a two-spot in the top of the fifth to cut the Woodpecker advantage to one, but with little room for error, Anthony Cruz settled in on the mound. He fired three consecutive scoreless frames to preserve the lead heading into the final inning.
However, the Hillcats struck back in their final turn at bat. A Jose Pirela double, Tommy Hawke triple, and Welbyn Francisca RBI groundout gave them a lead they would not relinquish, securing their second straight win to conclude Opening Weekend.
The Woodpeckers have an off-day tomorrow before starting a six-game series at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium on Tuesday against the Delmarva Shorebirds. They return to SEGRA stadium on April 15th to welcome the defending Carolina League champion Fredericksburg Nationals into town. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 PM ET for the first Tacos & Tallboys Tuesday of the season.
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Carolina League Stories from April 6, 2025
- Pelicans Sweep RiverDogs with 5-2 Win in Series Finale - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Career Night for First Baseman Not Enough for Win - Columbia Fireflies
- RiverDogs Swept by Pelicans to Finish Opening Weekend - Charleston RiverDogs
- Late Two-Run Rally Sees Hillcats Past Woodpeckers in Series Finale - Fayetteville Woodpeckers
- Salem Wins Nail-Biter to Complete Three-Game Sweep of Delmarva 6-5 on Sunday Afternoon - Salem Red Sox
- Mudcats Rally to Sweep Nationals - Carolina Mudcats
- FredNats Swept as Carolina Claws back to Win in 10 - Fredericksburg Nationals
- Shorebirds Swept by Red Sox in Opening Series - Delmarva Shorebirds
- RiverDogs to Televise 26 Home Games with Local Partners - Charleston RiverDogs
- Columbia Fireflies Game Notes 4.6 at Augusta - Columbia Fireflies
- Kannapolis Comes up Short with Slow Night of Offense in Loss to Crawdads Saturday - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
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