In their season debut, the Fredericksburg Nationals earned a 5-3 victory over the Augusta GreenJackets Friday night at Virginia Credit Union Stadium.
The FredNats (1-0) were hitless for six innings as Augusta starting pitcher Ethan Bagwell left their batters perplexed. Fredericksburg was without its first baserunner until the fifth inning when Bagwell walked Ronny Cruz.
Bagwell returned to form in the sixth by sitting down the FredNats in order to end his night. Bagwell finished with six no-hit innings, walking one and striking out six. He exited with a 3-0 Augusta lead.
But following Bagwell’s departure, the FredNats took advantage. Against reliever Ryan Heppner, the home team picked up two free passes followed by their first hit of the night, a Luke Dickerson two-RBI double, to cut Augusta’s lead to 3-2. Jacob Walsh later tied the game with an RBI triple, and the FredNats added an RBI each from Jamison Jones (sacrifice fly) and Eli Willits (RBI double).
The FredNats were able to hold on to the 5-3 lead. Their final two relievers did not allow a hit over 3 1/3 innings, with Bryant Olson going getting four outs and Jacob Roberts collecting the final six outs in his affiliated debut.
Olson recorded the win, with the loss Augusta’s Heppner taking the loss. Roberts was credited with a six-out save. The three-game series continues Saturday, at 1:35 p.m. at Virginia Credit Union Stadium. Nolan Hughes will get the start for Fredericksburg against Augusta’s Zach Royse.
