Woodies no-hit until the sixth inning

Kinston, N.C. –  The Down East Wood Ducks forgot their offense in Charleston as they fell to the Fredericksburg National 2-0, Tuesday night at Grainger Stadium.  Down East tallied their first hit in the bottom of the sixth and were shut out for the first time this season. 

Fredericksburg (2-17) opened the scoring in the top of the first as Jeremy De La Rosa hit a solo homerun to put Fredericksburg ahead 1-0.  The Wood Ducks (13-6)  got their first hit in the bottom of the sixth, courtesy of a one out triple by Evan Carter.  Unfortunately, Down East couldn’t score Carter and ended the sixth inning trailing 1-0.   

The Nationals loaded the bases in the top of the eighth but were only able to get one run across to take a 2-0 lead.  Down East threatened in the bottom of the ninth.  Cody Freeman and Antonio Cabello hit back-to-back singles with two outs.  Cristian Inoa pinch hit for Keithron Moss but flew out to left to end the game. 

Abdiel Mendoza (0-2) took the loss but pitched extremely well.  Mendoza finished with one run allowed on one hit with a career-high six strikeouts.  Nic Laio was first out of the bullpen.  He took the no-decision, pitching two shutout innings, allowing one hit and striking out two.  Teodoro Ortega made his debut with the Wood Ducks and pitched 1 1/3 innings, allowing one run on one hit with one walk and one strikeout.  Spencer Mraz pitched the final 1 2/3 innings, allowing only two hits and striking out two.   

The Wood Ducks continue their series with the Nationals Wednesday with first pitch set for 7:00 p.m.  Down East will start RH Wyatt Sparks (0-0, 5.91) and the FredNats will start RH Rodney Theophile (0-2, 5.40)