Loperfido and Hamilton Spark Woodpeckers to Comeback over Kannapolis

May 18, 2022 - Carolina League (CarL)
Fayetteville Woodpeckers News Release

Kannapolis, NC - The Fayetteville Woodpeckers (14-21) pitching staff shut down the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (17-18) for eight of nine innings on Wednesday afternoon, while Joey Loperfido and Quincy Hamilton helped lead a late come-from-behind 2-1 victory at Atrium Health Ballpark.

RHP Nic Swanson got the start for Fayetteville and ran into some trouble in the bottom of the first when Colson Montgomery homered to right with two away in the inning to put the Cannon Ballers on top, 1-0. However, Swanson settled in after the mistake, pitching four innings with just the one run allowed on three hits while striking out four. He was replaced by Christian Mejias (W, 1-0) ahead of the fifth and Mejias picked up right where Swanson left off, tossing four scoreless innings surrendering four hits and two walks while fanning five.

It took some time for the Woodpeckers to get going at the plate, but they got the huge hit they were looking for in the top of the seventh. Leading off the inning, Loperfido hammered the second pitch he saw from Kannapolis reliever Angel Acevedo (L, 0-1) 433 feet to center field for a game-tying solo home run. It was Loperfido's third homer of the season and first since April 17 when he hit two against Salem at Segra Stadium.

The clutch hitting kept on coming for Fayetteville in the eighth. Freddy Guilamo led off the frame with a double before Hamilton stung one into the right center field gap for a double of his own, plating Guilamo and pushing the Woodpeckers ahead. For Hamilton, the RBI was his team-high 17th of the season.

It remained a one-run lead for Fayetteville heading into the ninth as they gave the ball to RHP Ian Foggo (SV, 1) to close it out. Foggo surrendered a pair of walks to start the inning before responding with a pair of strikeouts. After he walked Samil Polanco to load the bases, James Beard came up for Kannapolis with a chance to be the hero. With a full count, Foggo dotted a fastball on the outside corner for a called strike three to end the ballgame. He struck out the side, which he has done in all three innings he has pitched since joining the Woodpeckers on May 10.

Fayetteville will aim towards securing the series split Thursday night as RHP Rhett Kouba will make his 2022 Woodpeckers debut after appearing in four games for them last season. On the other side, the Cannon Ballers look to bounce back with LHP Tommy Sommer. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 ET at Atrium Health Ballpark.

GAME BOX SCORE: https://www.milb.com/gameday/669262/final/box

Fayetteville Woodpeckers at the plate

Carolina League Stories from May 18, 2022

• Olguin Goes 5.0 Scoreless in Victorious Debut - Carolina Mudcats
• Lynchburg's Hot Bats Strike Again as Salem Loses Their Third Straight - Salem Red Sox
• RiverDogs Edge GreenJackets in Game Two - Augusta GreenJackets
• One Big Inning Allows RiverDogs to Topple GreenJackets 4-2 - Charleston RiverDogs
• 'Birds Snag Third Straight Win with 5-3 Triumph over FredNats - Delmarva Shorebirds
• Loperfido and Hamilton Spark Woodpeckers to Comeback over Kannapolis - Fayetteville Woodpeckers
• Pelicans Score 13 Unanswered to Top Fireflies - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
• Mozzicato Brilliant in Debut Despite 13-2 Loss - Columbia Fireflies
• RiverDogs, Boeing to Induct Grimsley, Walsh into Hall of Honor - Charleston RiverDogs
• Columbia Fireflies Game Notes vs Myrtle Beach May 18 - Columbia Fireflies

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Fayetteville Woodpeckers Stories

• Alonzo Tredwell Named Carolina League Pitcher of the Week
• Lynchburg Blanks Woodpeckers in Series Finale
• Eighty Deuces Complete Mission, Top Hillcats in Comeback
• Eighty Deuces Complete Mission, Top Hillcats in Comeback
• Crocs Hang on Late, Take Down Hillcats on Baseball Heritage Night