The Fredericksburg Nationals fell behind early and never led in a 7-4 series finale loss to the Carolina Mudcats Sunday afternoon at Virginia Credit Union Stadium.
The Fred Nats’ hot start to the second half was cooled a bit as they fell to 16-5 (51-36 overall). The Mudcats are now 9-11 (50-35).
Carolina jumped ahead 2-0 in the top of the first inning after an error by shortstop Marcus Brown who dropped a two-out pop-up.
Fredericksburg cut its deficit to 2-1 on an RBI double from Everett Cooper III, but that was as close as it would get the remainder of the game.
Carolina used a two-run single from Yophery Rodriguez to go ahead 4-1. The lead ballooned to 6-1 after runs were scored on a wild pitch and an error at first base.
Caleb Farmer recorded two RBIs for the Fred Nats to pull them within 6-3, and Cooper added an RBI fielder’s choice to make it 6-4. The Mudcats added a run in the top of the seventh to provide the final margin.
Austin Amaral took the loss for Fredericksburg.
After the all-star break, the Fred Nats travel to Salem for a weekend series beginning Friday.
