The Fredericksburg Nationals clinched the second-half North Division crown and reserved a spot in the Carolina League playoffs with a resounding 15-5 win at Salem Memorial Ballpark Tuesday evening.
Geraldi Diaz and Branden Boissiere combined for 7 RBIs as the Fredericksburg Nationals established control of the contest in the first and never looked back. Diaz’s three-run home run in the opening turn cemented an 8-run frame that proved the difference. Six different FredNats scored multiple runs.
RHP Jackson Rutledge earned his team-best 8th win of the season by punching out seven in five innings of starting work. Redis Sena suffered the loss for Salem. He allowed eight runs without making it out of the first.
The Fredericksburg Nationals entered the evening needing a win and a Carolina loss, which came in walk-off style in the opener of their series in Myrtle Beach. The trip to the postseason will be the first for the franchise since the relocation to Fredericksburg. The playoffs will open with a best-of-three divisional round vs. Lynchburg on September 13-16. The winner will meet either Myrtle Beach or Charleston, who moved one win away from clinching a playoff berth Tuesday night.
The Fredericksburg Nationals are 39-21 in the second half. The team will host Lynchburg in the divisional round playoff game to open the postseason on September 13 at 7:05 pm.
