First-round draft pick Brice Matthews delivered one of the biggest swings of the season Thursday night, ripping a line drive down the left field line with two outs in the ninth to land the Fayetteville Woodpeckers (45-54, 15-18 second half) a walk-off 3-2 victory over the Carolina Mudcats (53-34, 20-13 second half) at Segra Stadium.
Matthews’ big hit was set up by two critical singles from the bottom of the order that kept the game alive with Fayetteville trailing 2-1.
With Brian Fitzpatrick (L, 0-1) starting on the mound in the bottom of the ninth, Jeron Williams and Luis Encarnacion both drew walks and forced Carolina to make a pitching change. Jefferson Figueroa took over from the bullpen and recorded the first out on a Jackson Loftin pop out. Williams and Encarnacion then attempted a double steal, and Encarnacion was cut down at second base.
With the 2-1 game riding on the bat of Sandro Gaston in a 2-2 count, the Fayetteville first baseman pulled a single into left field that scored Williams to tie the game. Dauri Lorenzo followed in the next at-bat with a short fly to left field that dropped in front of the diving Jace Avina and landed Gaston at third base.
Matthews followed with the third straight single, winning the game on a first-pitch line drive down the left field line for a thrilling 3-2 final.
The walk-off victory was the second of the season for Fayetteville and second of the current homestand.
Both sides traded runs in the first inning before pitching dominated for the bulk of the game. Carolina took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first on a Luis Lara walk and Daniel Guilarte sacrifice fly.
Ryan Johnson quickly leveled the game with an RBI double in the bottom of the first off Patricio Aquino. In the top of the second, Jace Avina slugged a solo homer off Amilcar Chirinos for a 2-1 advantage that held until the ninth.
Chirinos worked a season-long 4.1 IP start and retired the last seven batters he faced before Jeremy Molero recorded the final two outs of the fifth inning. Carlos Espinosa (W, 2-2) took over from the bullpen in the sixth and tossed four scoreless innings of relief with two strikeouts and only two hits allowed.
The six-game series continues Friday with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
The Woodpeckers are projected to start right-hander Manuel Urias; Carolina is scheduled to start right-hander Will Rudy.
Fans are encouraged to wear purple to the ballpark for Alzheimer’s Awareness Night. The first 1,000 fans will receive a replica jersey.
A fireworks show is scheduled after the game.
Single game tickets can be purchased at milb.com/fayetteville/tickets/single-game-tickets.
