Woodpeckers Rally Late, Edge Nationals, 7-5
Published on May 22, 2026 under Carolina League (CarL)
Fayetteville Woodpeckers News Release
Fayetteville, NC - The Fayetteville Woodpeckers (19-24) scored six runs across their final three at bats on Friday night to erase a deficit and take down the Fredericksburg Nationals (30-13) for the first time in the series by a 7-5 final at Segra Stadium. The combo of Charlie Weber and Jose Serrano (W, 2-1) also delivered on the mound, going the distance and allowing just one earned run.
Fayetteville's comeback started in the bottom of the sixth when trailing 3-1. Camilo Diaz scored on a balk and newly acquired Jack Moss singled to right field, scoring Josh Wakefield for the 3-3 tie.
Weber worked a career-high 4.1 innings and also tied his best mark with six strikeouts, allowing just one earned run in the fifth that scored when Serrano took over in relief.
The breakthrough inning came in the bottom of the seventh as Fayetteville managed to score three runs without the ball leaving the infield. Juan Sierra hustled out an infield single to score Anthony Huezo for the lead, then Moss followed up with a dribbler towards first base that scored Kevin Alvarez. The pitcher Levi Heusman turned his back toward the plate after covering first, and Diaz took advantage by racing home and also scoring on the play for a 6-3 lead.
Kevin Alvarez added an insurance run with a sacrifice-fly in the seventh and Serrano held the lead the rest of the way.
Serrano worked 4.1 scoreless and nearly ended the game with a grounder to third, but a high throw from Xavier Neyens extended the game and put two in scoring position. Coy James followed with a base hit to left field that scored both runs, however James was thrown out at second base trying to stretch a double on a play that ended the game 7-5.
The Woodpeckers can still salvage a series split and continue the homestand on Saturday night at 7:05 PM. Fayetteville is projected to start RHP Coleman MacRae and Fredericksburg will counter with RHP Miguel Sime Jr.
The first 1,500 fans through the gates will take home a replica camo jersey courtesy of Campbell University! The team will be wearing special on-field jerseys which will be auctioned off during the game with proceeds benefiting the 82nd Airborne Association.
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