Wood Ducks win second straight in battle of 2017 Carolina League co-champs

The Down East Wood Ducks are on a positive streak now.

Following the franchise’s longest losing streak – 11 games – the Woodies (11-22 second half, 46-57 overall) have now won back-to-back games after Tuesday’s 5-4 victory over the Lynchburg Hillcats (17-15, 46-53).

In front of 1,175 fans at Historic Grainger Stadium, the Wood Ducks got an RBI from catcher Melvin Novoa in the bottom of the eighth to break a 4-4 tie. The infield hit scored Josh Altmann, who reached base earlier in the frame on a scary hit-by-pitch that had Altmann on the ground for a couple of minutes.

Altmann had a strong game, finishing 2-for-2 with a two-run home run in the sixth that tied the game at 3-3. Anderson Tejeda finished 3-for-4 with an RBI and Leody Taveras was 2-for-5 with a solo home run in the fifth inning.

Woodies’ starting pitcher Walker Weickel was solid, going seven innings while only surrendering six hits and three runs (all earned). He struck out seven and only walked one, but didn’t factor into the final decision due to a blown save by Blake Bass.

Locke St. John came on in the eighth in relief of Bass and went 1.2 innings, retiring five of the six Hillcats he faced.

Conner Capel and Jodd Carter had two hits apiece to lead Lynchburg, who were the co-Carolina League champions with the Wood Ducks in 2017. Capel, Carter and Emmanuel Tapia were responsible for Lynchburg’s RBIs, with Tapia finishing with two.

The two teams are scheduled to play at 12:05 p.m. on Wednesday at Historic Grainger Stadium on Camp Day.