
Willits Clutch Single Lifts Nationals over Howlers
Published on May 7, 2026 under Carolina League (CarL)
Hill City Howlers News Release
Eli Willits delivered the knockout blow for the Fredericksburg Nationals against the Hill City Howlers on Thursday evening, winning 4-2.
For the third straight night, the game was tied going to the ninth before the 'Nats delivered in the clutch.
Hill City struck first off of Carson Fischer in the second inning. After a double from Yeiferth Castillo, Jose Pirela brought him home with an RBI single up the middle, putting the Howlers up 1-0.
The Nationals found some momentum in the third inning as they loaded up the bases with two outs. A Luke Dickerson walk tied the game before the Howlers had to turn to their bullpen.
In the fourth, Jack Moroknek tripled early in the frame before being brought home by Nick Peoples, who's single gave the Nationals the 2-1 advantage.
Dauri Fernandez came around to score in the sixth inning on a Juneiker Caceres single. The Howlers threatened later in the inning, but could not add on after tying the game.
The game was kept tied until the ninth as the Nationals struggled to break the tie with runners in scoring position. Eli Willits would show up in the clutch, driving home two with a single to center, giving the Nationals the lead.
Hill City would bring the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the inning, but could not crack the scoreboard.
The Howlers and FredNats square off again on Friday evening with first pitch at 6:30 p.m. at City Stadium. Tickets are available at hchowlers.com.
Carolina League Stories from May 7, 2026
- Ballers Overcome Early Struggles to Swipe Victory over Fireflies Thursday - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Newman's Homer Clinches Win in Rain-Shortened Game - Fayetteville Woodpeckers
- Taitn Gray's Career Day Surges RiverDogs Past the GreenJackets 13-7 - Charleston RiverDogs
- BeerMongers Unable to Capitalize in 6-2 Loss to Delmarva - Salem RidgeYaks
- Fireflies Work No-Hitter Through 7, But Fall 3-2 - Columbia Fireflies
- Longball Dooms Wilson in Loss to Fayetteville - Wilson Warbirds
- Shorebirds Win Second Straight over Salem to Take Series Lead - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Offensive Onslaught Overwhelms Augusta at Home - Augusta GreenJackets
- Ninth Inning Heroics Lift FredNats to 4-2 Win Over Hill City - Fredericksburg Nationals
- Willits Clutch Single Lifts Nationals over Howlers - Hill City Howlers
- Six-Run Eighth Inning Powers Pelicans to Comeback Win over Crawdads 9-7 - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Pelicans Slide Past 'Dads 9-7 - Hickory Crawdads
- Columbia Fireflies Game Notes at Kannapolis 5.7 - Columbia Fireflies
- Cerantola Is First Firefly to Make MLB Debut in '26 - 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 Hill City Howlers Stories
- Willits Clutch Single Lifts Nationals over Howlers
- Yerlin Luis Blast Walks-Off Fredericksburg for Second Straight Night
- Dauri Fernandez Walks off Fredericksburg in Series Opener
- Harrison Bodendorf Named April Carolina League Pitcher of the Month
- Delmarva Takes Series Finale against Hill City


