It was a star-spangled slugfest at Virginia Credit Union Stadium as the Fredericksburg Nationals outlasted the Delmarva Shorebirds in a nail-biting 9–8 victory on Independence Day. With a roaring hometown crowd and holiday energy buzzing, the FredNats delivered fireworks both at the plate and on the mound.
Offensive Onslaught Begins Early
Delmarva exploded early, scoring three runs in the first inning behind a two-RBI triple from Raylin Ramos and a base hit from Elis Cuevas.
Fredericksburg answered emphatically, plating six runs in the bottom half of the first. Twelve batters came to the plate, fueled by aggressive base running, timely contact, and five walks drawn.
The fireworks kept flying in the second inning as Colin Tuft launched a solo home run for Delmarva—his first of the season. Fredericksburg replied again with a double from Nick Peoples and an RBI single from Roismar Quintana to push their lead to 8–4.
Momentum Swings in the Middle
In the fourth, Delmarva surged back with RBI singles from Cuevas and Nate George, pulling within one run at 8–7.
Delmarva tied the game in the sixth, courtesy of a clutch RBI single by Jose Tavera. But Nick Peoples stepped up in the bottom half and delivered a decisive solo homer—his fifth of the year—to restore Fredericksburg’s lead.
The eighth inning saw more tension, as Cuevas added his third RBI of the night to make it 9–8. The Shorebirds threatened in the ninth, loading the bases against closer Pablo Aldonis.
Ninth-Inning Drama Seals the Deal
With two hit batters, a walk, and two outs, Aldonis rose to the moment—striking out the final three batters in order, including a clutch punchout of Colin Tuft, to seal the win and earn his second save.
Stat Leaders
Fredericksburg Nationals
Nick Peoples: 3-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, SB
Francesco Barbieri: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 SB
Luke Dickerson: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 SB
Roismar Quintana: 1-for-3, RBI
Pablo Aldonis: 1.2 IP, 4 K, Save (2)
Delmarva Shorebirds
Elis Cuevas: 2-for-4, 3 RBI, BB
Raylin Ramos: 1-for-4, 2 RBI triple, BB
Colin Tuft: 2-for-4, HR, BB
Joshua Liranzo: 2-for-4, 1 R
Grant Dorsey: 0.2 IP, 6 ER — tagged with the loss (0–1)
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