On Tuesday night, the Fayetteville Woodpeckers took on the Charleston RiverDogs in Game 2 of the Carolina League Championship Series at Segra Stadium in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Fayetteville entered the night with a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series and a chance to clinch the championship at home.
The offense wasted no time getting on the board and building an early lead. Kam Durnin led off the first inning with a double before a Kevin Alvarez single and Owen Nowak walk eventually loaded the bases for Ben Tryon with two outs. Tryon took a 2-1 pitch and deposited it over the right-field fence for a grand slam, giving the Woodpeckers an early 4-0 lead.
Juan Fraide, a 20-year-old right-hander, got the start for Fayetteville. After putting together a strong season, Fraide delivered one of his best outings in the biggest game of the year. He tossed five scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out six.
Jesus Carrera relieved Fraide and allowed a run in the sixth inning, but the Woodpeckers’ offense responded in the seventh. No. 1 prospect Kevin Alvarez came to the plate with the bases loaded and connected on a two-run single to extend the lead. Logan Hughes later scored on a groundout, pushing Fayetteville’s advantage to 7-1.
The RiverDogs picked up another run off Carrera in the eighth before manager Carlos Lugo went back to the bullpen. With runners on second and third, Brandon Cassedy was brought in to escape the jam. The right-hander was dominant, striking out the side to keep Fayetteville comfortably ahead, 7-2.
Cassedy returned for the ninth and allowed a two-run homer as Charleston cut the lead to 7-4. He quickly settled back in, though, striking out the next three batters to slam the door and secure Fayetteville’s first Carolina League championship!
The Woodpeckers put together a tremendous season under Lugo, but they really took off during the second half. Fayetteville finished 39-25 to win the Carolina League South Division and earn a spot in the postseason.
Once the playoffs started, the Woodpeckers never lost. They swept Fredericksburg, 2-0, in the opening round before sweeping Charleston, 2-0, in the Carolina League Championship Series to finish a perfect 4-0 in the postseason.
From a huge first-inning grand slam by Tryon to five dominant innings from Fraide and Cassedy closing the door, the Woodpeckers delivered when it mattered most.
Congratulations to Lugo and all of the Woodpeckers players and staff on bringing home the Carolina League championship!
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