The Fredericksburg Nationals opened the first game of the seven-inning doubleheader with a dominant 8-2 victory, improving to 14-8 (44-43) on the season. Right-hander Yoel Tejeda Jr. delivered a masterful performance, tossing five scoreless innings on just 45 pitches, retiring the final nine Hillcat hitters and lowering his ERA to 3.43, the eighth-best mark in the Carolina League. Offensively, Cristhian Vaquero reached base in all four plate appearances (3-for-3, triple, walk), while Jorgelys Mota recorded his sixth straight multi-hit game and drove in two runs. Six Fredericksburg starters collected hits, and five players tallied at least one RBI, showcasing the depth of their lineup. Tejeda (4-3) earned the win, while Lynchburg’s Braylon Doughty (0-6) suffered the loss.
In game two of the seven-inning twin bill, the Fredericksburg Nationals mounted a late comeback to defeat the Lynchburg Hillcats 2-1, completing the doubleheader sweep. Xander Meckley delivered five solid innings, allowing just one unearned run in the first frame, before turning the ball over to a shutdown bullpen. Fredericksburg’s offense answered in the fifth inning when Elijah Green tied the game with an RBI single, and Carlos Tavares launched his first career triple in the sixth to put the Nationals ahead. Left-hander Euri Montero then recorded the final three outs for his second save of the season, as Fredericksburg improved to 14-8 (45-43) overall.
Game 1: Fredericksburg Nationals 8, Lynchburg Hillcats 2
Inning Highlights:
1st: Elijah Green ropes an RBI triple; FredNats take a 1-0 lead.
3rd–5th: Cristhian Vaquero goes perfect at the plate; Fredericksburg adds 5 more runs via aggressive offense.
6th: FredNats add two more runs to go up 8-0.
7th: Hillcats score twice late; FredNats bullpen secures the win.
Key Stats:
Pitching:
Yoel Tejeda Jr. (FredNats):
5.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 3 K, 45 pitches
ERA lowered to 3.43, now 4-3 on the season
Braylon Doughty (Hillcats):
Took the loss, now 0-6
Offense:
Cristhian Vaquero:
3-for-3, 1 triple, 1 BB, 2 R
Jorgelys Mota:
2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 R
Elijah Green:
1-for-3, 1 RBI triple
Team Totals:
FredNats: 8 R, 9 H, 1 E
Hillcats: 2 R, 4 H, 0 E
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Game 2: Fredericksburg Nationals 2, Lynchburg Hillcats 1
Inning Highlights:
1st: Hillcats go up 1-0 on a defensive error.
5th: Elijah Green ties it with an RBI single.
6th: Carlos Tavares belts a go-ahead triple to score Nick Peoples.
7th: Euri Montero shuts the door for the save.
Key Stats:
Pitching:
Xander Meckley (FredNats):
5.0 IP, 1 R (unearned), 5 H, 1 BB, 5 K
Pablo Aldonis (FredNats):
1.0 IP, 0 R, 0 H, earned the win (2-0)
Euri Montero (FredNats):
1.0 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 K, earned his 2nd save
Conner Whittaker (Hillcats):
Took the loss, now 6-2
Offense:
Elijah Green:
2-for-3, RBI single in the 5th
Carlos Tavares:
1-for-3, go-ahead RBI triple in the 6th
Nick Peoples:
Scored the winning run
Team Totals:
FredNats: 2 R, 7 H, 2 E
Hillcats: 1 R, 5 H, 0 E
Standings Update:
Fredericksburg now sits at 44-43 overall, 14-8 in the second half.
Lynchburg drops to 50-39 overall, 9-14 in the second half.
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