CHARLESTON, S.C. — It was another tough night for the Fayetteville Woodpeckers (0-2, 30-38) on Saturday at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Ballpark as the Charleston RiverDogs (2-0, 28-39) defeated the Woodpeckers, 7-2.
Charleston has clinched the series victory and has now taken each of the past three contests from Fayetteville.
The Woodpeckers struck first in the top half of the opening frame on a Jackson Loftin RBI single. The RiverDogs answered with a run in the bottom half on a Dominic Keegan sacrifice fly and then scored five more runs over the first four frames. Chandler Simpson ripped a two-run double to right in the second, Ryan Spikes hit a two-run homer to left in the third, and Xavier Isaac plated Jhon Diaz on a double in the fourth.
Zach Cole brought in Sandro Gaston in the top of the fifth on a single to end the Charleston scoring run, but Odalys Peguero notched an RBI single in the seventh to cancel it out and wrap up the scoring.
On the mound, RiverDogs starter Marcus Johnson (W, 1-3) cruised through five and a third innings, surrendering just two runs (one earned) on four hits with five strikeouts. The trio of Kikito Severino, Matt Wyatt, and Jack Hartman pitched the final three and two thirds scoreless to secure the win for the home team.
Both teams will wrap up their first of two series this year on Sunday evening. Fayetteville sends right-hander Amilcar Chirinos to the hill while Charleston’s starting pitcher is to be determined.
The first pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m.
Box score: https://www.milb.com/gameday/728251/final/box
