Rafael Ramirez hit two home runs, added a two-run single and drove in five runs as the Fredericksburg Nationals defeated the Fayetteville Woodpeckers 11-2 on Aug. 16, 2026, in Fayetteville, N.C. The series-finale victory ended Fredericksburg’s season-long five-game losing streak, helped the team avoid a sweep and moved the Nationals back within five games of the division lead.
The Fredericksburg Nationals hit four home runs for the second time in the last two weeks. Ramirez accounted for two of those homers, while Cristhian Vaquero and Jordan Williams each added one.
Rafael Ramirez Leads Fredericksburg Nationals Offense
Fayetteville scored first in the bottom of the first inning after an error by Fredericksburg shortstop Avery Ortiz created an early baserunner. Ben Tryon then doubled off the tip of Juan Cruz’s glove at first base, giving the Fayetteville Woodpeckers a 1-0 lead.
The Fredericksburg Nationals answered in the second inning when Ramirez hit a solo home run to tie the game. Vaquero put Fredericksburg ahead in the third inning with a two-run homer, his third home run in 10 games at Single-A.
Ramirez struck again in the fourth inning, hitting a two-run home run to right-center field for his second homer of the game. Later in the inning, Coy James hit a sacrifice fly for his 70th RBI of the season, tying the Carolina League lead.
Fredericksburg Nationals Pull Away After Early Deficit
The Nationals continued to build their lead in the fifth inning after loading the bases on walks. Ramirez delivered a two-run single through the right side, giving him five RBIs through five innings.
Vaquero added an RBI single in the sixth inning to make it 9-1. Williams followed with his ninth home run of the season in the eighth inning, and Fredericksburg added another run in the ninth to complete the 11-2 victory.
The win ended Fredericksburg’s five-game losing streak and prevented a sweep by Fayetteville. It also kept the Nationals within five games of the division lead.
Fredericksburg Nationals Return Home Tuesday
The Fredericksburg Nationals are scheduled to return home to face Kannapolis. The series opener is set for Tuesday at 6:35 p.m., with pitching matchups listed as to be determined.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Rafael Ramirez supplied the decisive offensive production for the Fredericksburg Nationals with two home runs, a two-run single and five RBIs. His performance helped the Nationals overcome an early deficit and produce four home runs in the series finale.
The victory also carried important season context: Fredericksburg stopped a season-long five-game losing streak, avoided a sweep and moved back within five games of the division lead before returning home to face Kannapolis.
Source: Original report
