By: Riverdogs Media
For the second time in the last three nights, Down East catcher Cody Freeman provided a game-winning hit to take down the Charleston RiverDogs. On Saturday night at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park, he was behind in the count 0-2 with two outs and the tying run on third base when he hit a go-ahead home run off of Colby White to lead the Wood Ducks to a 3-2 win. The game was played in front of a crowd of 4,089.
The RiverDogs (9-8) carried a 2-0 lead into the final inning as White returned to the mound after fanning the side in the eighth. Evan Carter reached on a throwing error by the pitcher to open the frame. After Luisangel Acuna popped out on the infield, Dustin Harris hit a groundball to the right side that was gloved by a sliding Brett Wisely. The second baseman tried to make the play at first, but the ball sailed behind home plate and allowed both runners to move into scoring position. Keyber Rodriguez’s sacrifice fly made it a 2-1 game and set the stage for Freeman’s dramatic swing. The home run was his first of the season.
Charleston built their advantage in the middle portion of the game. Luis Leon was balked home from third base in the third inning, plating the initial run. In the sixth, Diego Infante drove in Curtis Mead with an RBI single to center to double the advantage. Both Infante and Mead extended their hitting streaks to eight games.
The RiverDogs outhit Down East seven to five in the game. Mead was the only RiverDogs with multiple hits, finishing 2-5 at the plate. Harris was the lone Wood Duck with multiple hits.
The Wood Ducks (12-5) late rally took away the opportunity for starting pitcher Cole Wilcox to earn his first professional win. The right-hander tossed 5.0 scoreless innings and allowed just two hits, both in the first frame. Trey Cumbie worked a pair of scoreless innings out of the bullpen after White departed.
Ballpark Fun
The series finale is schedule for Sunday evening at 5:05 p.m. LHP Jose Lopez (2-1, 5.11) will make his second start of the series for the RiverDogs. Meanwhile, Down East will call on RHP Mason Englert (0-0, 2.57).
All RiverDogs games are broadcast worldwide on riverdogs.com. A television broadcast of all 60 home games during the 2021 season will also be available via MiLB.TV. Games are also available on the MiLB First Pitch app.
RiverDogs season tickets, flexible ticket plans, and group tickets, including options to the Segra Club at Riley Park, are now available for the 2021 campaign at riverdogs.com/tickets or by contacting the RiverDogs front office at 843-577-3647 (DOGS). A full schedule for the 2021 season is available at riverdogs.com.
