The Fredericksburg Nationals (12-9) defeated the Charleston RiverDogs (8-13) 6-5 on Sunday, April 27, 2025, securing a 4-2 series win. Jackson Ross hit a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning to complete a late-game comeback before 4,007 fans at Virginia Credit Union Stadium. The FredNats now head to Salem, with game one set for Tuesday at 6:35 p.m.

Here’s the full press release:

The Fredericksburg Nationals (12-9) launched another late-game comeback against the Charleston RiverDogs (8-13), winning 6-5 on Jackson Ross’ sacrifice fly in the tenth inning. The win, which saw the FredNats score four unanswered runs after the eighth, also secured a 4-2 series victory for Fredericksburg.

In front of a season-high 4,007 fans at Virginia Credit Union Stadium, Fredericksburg’s Davian Garcia and Charleston’s Janzen Keisel took the hill on a “Salute to Service Sunday” with the series on the line. Both pitchers were sixth-round selections in the 2024 MLB Draft and both struggled with command in their respective starts.

The FredNats got to Keisel in the second inning when the Oklahoma State product walked three to load the bases before Cristhian Vaquero smoked a double high off the right field wall, missing a grand slam by a yard. It was Vaquero’s tenth hit of the series and gave him his eighth and ninth RBI to put Fredericksburg up 2-0.

Garcia skirted around traffic with two pickoffs and a double-play ball in the first three innings, but couldn’t avoid damage in the fourth. After a leadoff double from Jack Lines, Charleston’s first hit, Garcia issued his fourth walk to set the table for the RiverDogs. With one out, Nathan Flewelling flipped a double the opposite way to score both runners and came home himself on an RBI single from Larry Martinez, giving Charleston a 3-2 lead.

The RiverDogs got to the FredNat bullpen after that in the sixth inning too, plating two runs off of Kevin Dowdell despite only one hit, extending their lead to 5-2.

After going scoreless for five consecutive frames, Fredericksburg got a golden opportunity again in the eighth. The RiverDog defense finally cracked as Jack Lines booted a Kevin Bazzell ground ball and Randal Diaz raced around the basepaths to score. Two batters later, a pop-up dropped on the infield before a Nate Ochoa single, loading the bases for Carlos Tavares with only one out.

Tavares, the youngest FredNat, came through in the clutch. He rattled a base hit into right field, scoring both Bazzell and Ross, tying the game at five apiece. As had happened so often in the series, Charleston’s mistakes in the field let Fredericksburg back in it.

Neither team scored in the ninth inning, sending Sunday’s contest to extra innings. After Charleston’s sacrifice bunt to move the automatic runner to third base, Flewelling pulled a ground ball to Tavares at first, who was playing in. The runner, Connor Hujsak, broke for the plate and Tavares made another phenomenal play, perfectly placing his throw to the plate to gun down Hujsak and ensuring Charleston wouldn’t score in the tenth.

That meant the FredNats needed just one run to win it and had Kevin Bazzell starting at second. The first batter of the inning, Jorgelys Mota, roped a base hit into right and Billy McMillon conservatively gave Bazzell the stop sign at third. Ross came up next with the game in his hands and was once again the walk-off hero. He had a walk-off home run in the FredNat home opener, but this time just needed to lift a fly ball to deep center field as Bazzell sprinted home to score.

Austin Amaral (1-0) got the win after pitching the tenth and Jonalbert Rumbol (0-1) got the loss. The FredNats have now won three straight to get to three games above .500 for the first time in 2025. They will head to Salem next week, with game one on Tuesday starting at 6:35.

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FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — Germanna Community College is inviting students, employees, alumni, and the broader community to weigh in as it begins the search for its next president.

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The Fredericksburg Nationals (11-9) won for the second consecutive night, defeating the Charleston RiverDogs (8-12) 5-3 at Virginia Credit Union Stadium. Cristhian Vaquero drove in four runs, including a three-run home run, and the FredNats’ bullpen combined for 11 strikeouts over four innings.

Here’s the full press release:

The Fredericksburg Nationals (11-9) won for the second straight night, beating the Charleston RiverDogs (8-12) 5-3 behind another headlining performance from right fielder Cristhian Vaquero and Single-A’s best bullpen.

On “A Minecraft Movie Night” at Virginia Credit Union Stadium, the FredNats handed the ball to starter Angel Roman, who entered the night with an ERA above 17 and was coming off his most difficult outing of the season. He again got off to a slow start, allowing single runs in each of the first two innings. He gave up two hits in the first and three hits in the second and looked like he may not last past then.

However, with the bases loaded in the second, he forced a groundout to third to strand all three runners. From there, he settled down and was fantastic.

The groundout started a stretch of nine straight batters retired by Roman, who fought through another two baserunners in the fifth inning without allowing a run.

By then, his offense had tied the game. The first eight FredNats went down in order against Charleston’s Jose Urbina before Kelvin Diaz pulled a line drive into left field for a two-out single in the third inning and stole second ahead of Vaquero. Vaquero came into the day having already posted two three-hit games in the series and was fresh off a multi-RBI performance Friday night. In his first act Saturday, the FredNat outfielder laced a single up the middle that drove in Diaz to draw the game to 2-1.

In the fourth, Fredericksburg pounced again. Jorgelys Mota reached on an error, advanced on a passed ball and scored when Nate Rombach whacked a single through the right side. Mota ran through a stop sign at third base and showed off his speed to tie the game 2-2.

In the fifth, after Roman’s efforts, the FredNats saw Moises Gallardo reach on a Charleston error, Elijah Nunez draw a walk and Kelvin Diaz bunt both of them over, giving Vaquero another RBI chance and he didn’t disappoint.

The FredNat switch-hitter stepped to the plate and launched a sky-scraping home run that touched down in the RiverDog bullpen to give the FredNats five unanswered runs and a 5-2 lead. Vaquero’s second home run of the season gave him a FredNat single-game season high four RBI. He’d finish the night 2/4 and now has nine hits in the first five games of the series.

From there, the FredNat bullpen locked things down again. The group that entered the night with a Single-A-best 2.92 ERA saw Gavin Bruni strike out the side in the sixth, Robert Cranz go six up, six down with six strikeouts and Merrick Baldo punch out two more. Of the bullpen’s 12 outs, 11 of them came by way of the strikeout, including seven RiverDogs in a row at one point. Baldo gave up a ninth-inning solo shot, but by night’s end, the Fredericksburg bullpen ERA dropped even further to 2.89.

In a 5-3 victory, Roman (1-1) got his first win of the season as Charleston reliever Noah Beal (0-1) stomached the loss. The FredNats secured at least a series split and will go for a series win in game six Sunday with Davian Garcia (1-1, 4.15) on the mound in a 1:35 start.

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Editor's Note:
This is the first in a three-part series exploring Virginia Railway Express’ (VRE) ambitious System Plan 2050, which outlines a vision for how the commuter rail system could grow over the next 25 years. We'll break down what the plan means for the region, what riders can expect, and how the system hopes to pay for its bold goals.

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FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — Residents gathered along the Rappahannock River today to celebrate Earth Day with a mix of environmental stewardship, family fun, and even goat cuddles.

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The Fredericksburg Nationals (10-9) scored seven unanswered runs to defeat the Charleston RiverDogs (8-11) by a score of 8-1 on Firework Friday at Virginia Credit Union Stadium.

The game remained close through the first five innings, tied 1-1 after solo runs from each team. Jackson Ross hit a solo home run in the second inning for the Nationals, and Charleston tied the game in the fourth. In the sixth inning, Fredericksburg took advantage of Charleston’s defensive mistakes, scoring four runs, followed by three more runs in the eighth inning.

The Nationals’ bullpen pitched six scoreless innings to secure the team’s largest winning margin of the season and tied the series at two games apiece. Matt Bollenbacher earned the win for Fredericksburg. Game five of the series is scheduled for Saturday, with Angel Roman starting for the FredNats.

Here’s the full press release:

The Fredericksburg Nationals (10-9) took advantage of late mistakes made by the Charleston RiverDogs (8-11) and scored seven unanswered runs to win 8-1 on a Firework Friday at Virginia Credit Union Stadium.

When the sixth inning started, the game had been played to script. In a tight, well-pitched series, the FredNats and RiverDogs were again playing close in a 1-1 tie. Both starters, Yoel Tejeda Jr. (3+ IP, 1 ER) and Ryan Andrade (4.0 IP, 1 ER), were long gone and their offenses were stifled. The Nationals’ run came via a Jackson Ross solo home run, his third of the year, to start the second inning, while the RiverDogs nickel and dimed their way to a run in the fourth.

Outside of putting baserunners on, neither offense was having much success scoring.

Then, the FredNats got some help in the sixth inning, a frame that doomed Charleston. Reigning Carolina League Player of the Week Jorgelys Mota drew a one-out walk to reach for his second time. Ross came up next and rolled a ground ball to short that looked like an inning-ending double play. Charleston shortstop Jack Lines wildly sailed his throw down the right field line, though and Mota motored around to score and give the FredNats a 2-1 lead.

After a Nate Rombach walk, Nate Ochoa rifled a line drive into center field that would’ve loaded the bases, but Angel Mateo overplayed it and it sailed right by him to the wall, scoring both runners. Another Charleston miscue, a wild pitch, brought Ochoa home and completed a four-run inning that put Fredericksburg ahead 5-1.

The FredNats added three more runs in the eighth inning, courtesy of outfielders Elijah Nunez and Cristhian Vaquero, who both had RBI base hits. Vaquero had his second three-hit game of the series, driving in two runs as well and adding a mind-bending stolen base and a game-changing diving catch that stranded the bases loaded for Charleston – a banner day for Washington’s 26th-ranked prospect (MLB Pipeline).

The FredNats held on to win 8-1, their largest winning margin of the season, and tied the series at two games apiece. Again, the FredNat bullpen helped fuel the win, with six scoreless innings from Matt Bollenbacher, Erik Tolman and Austin Amaral.

Bollenbacher (1-0) got the win as Dominic Niman (1-2), who pitched the sixth inning, got the loss despite not allowing an earned run.

In game five of the series Saturday, the FredNats send Angel Roman (0-1, 17.61) to the mound against Jose Urbina (0-1, 2.57) in a 7:05 start.

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The Rappahannock Area Community Services Board received a $90,000 grant from the Mary Washington Hospital Foundation to support behavioral healthcare services in Fredericksburg City Schools. The grant will fund a therapist position, comprehensive assessments, screenings, referrals for treatment, care management, counseling services, and family support services. RACSB officials said the funding will help address mental health needs among students.

Here’s the full press release:

MEDIA RELEASE

Rappahannock Area Community Services Board
600 Jackson Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
www.rappahannockareacsb.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 25, 2025, Fredericksburg, VA

Grant Will Provide Mental Health Therapist to City School Division

Fredericksburg, Virginia – Rappahannock Area Community Services Board is pleased to announce the receipt of a $90,000 grant from the Mary Washington Hospital Foundation to support behavioral healthcare services in Fredericksburg City Schools.

The money will allow RACSB to continue to provide a therapist for the school division. Additionally, the community services board will use the grant to provide comprehensive assessments—including screenings and referrals for treatment, care management, counseling services, and family support services.

“These funds will allow us to provide a behavioral health supports program, which provides evidence-based, recovery-oriented treatment focused on youth,” said RACSB Executive Director Joe Wickens. “We know that many students struggle with mental health issues, and this grant will help us address these challenges and provide the supports needed to help children in our community thrive.”

About half of Virginia middle and high school students reported a mental health need, with 20 percent saying they engage in self-harming behaviors and 12% saying they had considered ending their lives, according to a report by the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia called “The Shape of Youth Mental Health in Virginia.”

“The American Academy of Pediatricians declared a national emergency in children’s mental health needs, and we see that need here in the Fredericksburg community,” Deputy Executive Director Brandie Williams said. “In 2021, the Virginia Youth Survey found that 38 percent of respondents felt sad or hopeless every day for two or more weeks. Think about that for a minute: Young people with their futures in front of them feeling little to no hope. We felt compelled to address this, and our agency is grateful to the Hospital Community Foundation for partnering with us to help local students find the hope they desperately need.”

Founded in 1970, RACSB provides public behavioral health and developmental disability services to residents of the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford. To learn more, visit www.rappahannockareacsb.org.

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — City officials are investigating after the canal was found drained on Thursday morning, prompting concerns from residents about the cause and potential impacts on the surrounding environment.

City spokeswoman Caitlyn McGhee said the issue appears to have originated from one of the canal’s sluice gates, which was found open, along with an unknown problem involving a level sensor. Both issues are under active investigation.

“There have been previous issues with the sluice gates,” McGhee added.

City staff, along with a contractor, are now assessing the situation and identifying the necessary repairs to both the gate and the adjacent canal infrastructure. No outside wildlife or environmental agencies are currently involved in the repair process.

While water levels remain low, city crews are taking advantage of the situation to inspect and, if needed, repair the aeration system within the canal. Staff are also removing debris that had been hidden underwater before the incident.

The assessment of the sluice gates and removal of debris is expected to take a couple of days. Inspection and repairs to the aeration system will occur at the same time. If no additional issues arise, McGhee said Public Works anticipates it will begin pumping water back into the canal next week.

Residents near the canal may notice an odor during this period. McGhee stressed that there is no public health or safety concern associated with the smell, which stems from natural biofilm, algae, and mud exposed by the lowered water levels.

The City will continue to provide updates about the situation through its social media platforms.

The Fredericksburg Nationals (9-9) were shut out for the first time this season, falling 6-0 to the Charleston RiverDogs (8-10) on Thursday at Virginia Credit Union Stadium. Charleston scored all six of its runs in the first two innings, capitalizing on six hits and three Fredericksburg errors.

FredNats starter Alexander Meckley was pulled in the third inning after walking three consecutive batters. Charleston’s Trevor Harrison held the FredNats scoreless over five innings, striking out seven. The FredNats loaded the bases in the second inning with no outs but failed to score and stranded 11 runners overall.

Game four of the series is scheduled for Friday at 7:05 p.m. Yoel Tejeda Jr. (1-0, 4.15 ERA) is set to start for Fredericksburg against Charleston’s Ryan Andrade (1-0, 0.64 ERA).

FREDNATS BLANKED IN 6-0 LOSS TO CHARLESTON

BOX SCORE

FREDERICKSBURG, VA – The Fredericksburg Nationals (9-9) were shut out for the first time this season, falling for the second straight day to the Charleston RiverDogs (8-10), who won 6-0 behind early offense and strong pitching.

Alexander Meckley had the start for the FredNats at Virginia Credit Union Stadium, a building he hadn’t allowed a run in during his first two years for Fredericksburg. That streak met its end at the hands of the RiverDogs.

Charleston slapped hits in all directions against Meckley, finding holes with ground balls and sneaking line drives along the foul lines. Two innings in, Meckley had allowed six total hits. Add in three Fredericksburg errors and the RiverDogs jumped out to a commanding 6-0 lead. Meckley walked three straight in the third inning and got the hook, but Merritt Beeker got him out of the jam with a strikeout.

It was already going to be hard for the FredNat offense against Charleston’s Trevor Harrison and the early deficit didn’t help. Harrison, 19, is Tampa Bay’s 11th-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline and was coming off a scoreless, hitless 4.2 IP outing against Hickory. The righty picked up right where he left off, keeping the FredNats off balance across five scoreless innings while racking up seven strikeouts.

The only real big chance the FredNats had to score against Harrison came in the second inning when they had the bases loaded with nobody out and leadoff hitter Cristhian Vaquero coming up but Vaquero got ahead of a breaking pitch and softly lined out to first. The Nationals stranded all three runners and would go on to strand 11 total.

Nobody scored again after the six early runs for Charleston as the FredNat bats stayed quiet and the Fredericksburg bullpen was excellent. Beeker covered 3.1 innings while Erick Mejia, Adam Bloebaum and Merrick Baldo all tossed scoreless innings as well.

In the end, the RiverDog bullpen did the same and the FredNats, for the first time all year, didn’t score, giving Charleston its third shutout of 2025.

In game four on Friday, Fredericksburg hands the ball to Yoel Tejeda Jr. (1-0, 4.15) against Ryan Andrade (1-0, 0.64) in a 7:05 start.

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – On the album cover of Karen Jonas' "The Rise and Fall of American Kitsch," released in August 2024, Karen is depicted holding a drink and a bottle of liquor, sporting a neutral expression and a few tattoos here and there. Throw in a 1960s floor-model television set, an ashtray, a religious statue, and an electric guitar, and it all screams "kitsch," from the day when it was hip to be kitsch.

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