Apr. 9—FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Charleston felt so good about winning its season opener that it decided to keep the party going.
The RiverDogs silenced the Woodpeckers for the second straight night on April 8, winning 6-5 to take the second of the six-game season-opening series. Taitn Gray blasted a two-run home run in the first inning for Charleston (2-0) and drove in another in a two-run sixth.
Gray, Tampa Bay’s No. 29 prospect, is now 7-for-15 to start the season with three extra base hits. He currently leads the Carolina League in hitting (.467), on base percentage (.571), and is second in hits (7).
The Woodpeckers tied the game at 4 in the seventh, but with Gray again at the plate, Fayetteville was called for a balk and the RiverDogs retook the lead. Gray then drove in another run with a sacrifice fly.
Bryce Shaffer slammed the door in the ninth for his first save.
RiverDogs starter Alex Wallace was stellar in his professional debut, tossing five innings while allowing just the one run. In the process he struck out three and allowed just one hit. Former Hanahan High School star Trey Pooser earned his first victory of the campaign after allowing two unearned runs over 12/3 innings.
Coming up
The RiverDogs will stay in Fayetteville through April 12, then take a day off before beginning the home season on April 14 with the first of a six-game series hosting Columbia.
