
Matuella Dazzles and Offense Produces in Win
May 10, 2018 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Down East Wood Ducks News Release
WINSTON-SALEM, NC - Michael Matuella's career night was supported by nine runs from the Wood Duck (18-16) offense in the series-opening win over the Dash (20-14) by a 9-3 final. Matuella posted career-highs in innings pitched (7.2) and strikeouts (8) in his first win of 2018.
Offensively, five different Wood Ducks had an RBI - including a season-high three from Brendon Davis. The DEWDs also collected six two-out RBIs including a pair from both Davis and Anderson Tejeda.
For the third time in the last four games, the Woodies didn't manage a hit the first time through the order against starter Danny Dopico. Leody Taveras drew a leadoff walk in the fourth and would later score on a Davis sac fly.
Matuella struck out the side in the first inning and only allowed an unearned run to cross in the fourth inning to start his evening. His previous career-high in innings pitched was 5.2 last July with the Hickory Crawdads.
The offense brought nine batters to the plate in the fifth inning and chased Dopico from the game. Matt Whatley ripped an RBI double to take the lead two batters into the frame, then run-scoring hits from Taveras, Davis, and Alex Kowalczyk would follow.
For good measure, the Woodies added three runs on a two-out rally in the sixth - highlighted by Tejeda's opposite field triple to bring home two runs.
It was plenty of run support for Matuella, who at one point retired 12 batters in a row. He also only needed 22 pitches to get through the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings. His previous career-high of six strikeouts was broken in the sixth for his career night.
Kaleb Fontenot finished off the final four outs without allowing a baserunner with a pair of strikeouts. Taveras matched a career-high by scoring three runs in the victory. Down East also plated nine runs without a home run - marking only the second homer-less game for the Woodies in the last ten played.
Down East and Winston-Salem prepare for game two on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. with RHP Walker Weickel (0-2, 5.40) on the mound for the Woodies. He will face right-hander Dylan Cease (4-1, 1.95) at BB&T Ballpark as the Woodies look to gain another game on second place in the south division standings.
Carolina League Stories from May 10, 2018
- Sox Scratched 11-5 by Hillcats Thursday - Salem Red Sox
- Offense Goes Bonkers in 14-3 Potomac Win - Potomac Nationals
- Four-Run First Not Enough for Myrtle Beach in 8-5 Loss to Astros - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Offense Erupts as Hillcats Cruise Past Salem - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Matuella Dazzles and Offense Produces in Win - Down East Wood Ducks
- Winston-Salem Drops Series Opener to Down East - Winston-Salem Dash
- Nationals Slug Five Home Runs in Rout of Keys - Frederick Keys
- Winston-Salem Dash: Game Notes (May 10 vs. Down East) - Winston-Salem Dash
- May 10 - Carolina Mudcats Game Information - Carolina Mudcats
- Myrtle Beach Pelicans: Game Notes, May 10 vs. Buies Creek - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- RHP Jose Ruiz promoted to Double-A Birmingham - Winston-Salem Dash
- C Tyler Pearson assigned to Triple-A Iowa - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Homestand Preview - Potomac Nationals
- Brewers Weekend, Souvenir Giveaway, House Autry Family Friday Fireworks and More Coming Up - Carolina Mudcats
- Sox Drop 10-8 to Dash in Extras - Salem Red Sox
- Rutherford's Blast Gives Winston-Salem Extra-Inning Win - Winston-Salem Dash
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 Down East Wood Ducks Stories
- Wood Ducks Drop Season Finale
- Wood Ducks Fall in 2024's Penultimate Game
- GreenJackets Blank Woodies, 4-0
- Woodies Edge GreenJackets, 6-5
- Woodies Beat GreenJackets, 4-3

