Fayetteville, N.C. – Despite the best efforts of their offense in the late innings, the Fayetteville Woodpeckers (21-20, 57-50) could not keep pace with the Carolina Mudcats (24-15, 60-43) as they dropped the series opener 7-5.
Right away, the Mudcats jumped out to an early lead. The visitors cashed in a pair of back-to-back walks by producing back-to-back singles, pulling them ahead 2-0.
For the next few innings, both pitching staffs took control of the game before both lineups emerged in the sixth inning. Carolina tacked on another two-spot to double their lead to four, but the Woodpeckers went to work immediately to mount a comeback. Two walks and a hit batsman loaded the bases for Nick Monistere, and he took full advantage of the situation, driving in Fayetteville’s first run on a fielder’s choice. Arturo Flores capitalized two batters later, scorching a two-run single to left field to draw the Woodpeckers within a run at 4-3…