The Flyers played 6 games this week. They began the week 3 games behind both the New Orleans Crawdads and the Phoenix Talons in the wildcard race. They were 4 games behind the Las Vegas Hustlers when the week began.
Charlotte had a day off on Monday as they traveled to Rockville for a 4 game set. Game 1 of the series saw the Pikemen jump out to an early 2-0 lead against starter Jim Fleming. The Flyers were able to take the lead with a 2 run home run by Chris McFadden in the top of the 6th. Two batters later, Victor Frazier added a home run of his own and Charlotte went on to win 4-2. Fleming got the win and Alejandro Chavez picked up the save. New Orleans and Phoenix both won but Las Vegas blew a late lead and lost in extra innings. The Flyers trailed all 3 teams by 3 games.
Game 2 was a rough start for Little Johnny Rasmussen, who allowed 5 runs in just 4.1 innings. The Pikemen won 8-2. New Orleans scored 8 runs in the 9th inning to win by 7. Las Vegas took care of business against Mexico City and Phoenix lost to Boise. Charlotte trailed NO and LV by 4 and PHX by 3.
Game 3 featured another Frazier home run and a late comeback as Charlotte took the lead with a 4 run 7th and held on to win 10-7. Phoenix crushed Boise while New Orleans and Las Vegas both lost. The Flyers trailed all 3 teams by 3 games again.
Game 4 was a low scoring affair. Banger Dan tied the game in the 9th with a solo home run but the Pikemen secured the win with a walk-off sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 11th. The final score was 3-2 Rockville. New Orleans blew out Brooklyn but Phoenix and Las Vegas both lost. Charlotte trailed New Orleans by 4 games and set 3 back of Phoenix and Las Vegas.
Charlotte started a series at home against Atlantic City on Saturday. Banger Dan helped the Flyers build a lead with a 2 run home run in the 5th but the Gamblers came back and tied it at 4 in the top of the 9th. Charlotte loaded the bases and came away with the victory as Farid bin Mubarak drew a walk to bring in the winning run to make it 5-4. Meanwhile, New Orleans beat up on Jacksonville to stay 4 games ahead of Charlotte and Phoenix beat San Antonio to maintain a 3 game edge in the standings. Las Vegas coughed up a lead in the 9th and gave up 2 runs in the 13th against Calgary, and despite scoring one in the bottom of the final frame, the Hustlers lost and allowed Charlotte to pull within 2 games.
The final game of the week saw Banger Dan and Victor Frazier each homer again to help Jim Fleming get another win. The Flyers won 7-2. Phoenix beat up on San Antonio and New Orleans lost to Jacksonville meaning that the Flyers ended the week 3 games behind those teams. Las Vegas lost their game to Calgary and Charlotte now sits just 1 game behind the Hustlers for the final playoff spot.
In the upcoming week, Charlotte will finish their series against Atlantic City with 2 games at home and then travel to Brooklyn for a 4 game set. New Orleans will play 2 in Jacksonville and 4 in Montreal. Phoenix will play 2 at San Antonio and 4 at home against Rocky Mountain. Las Vegas will play 2 at home against Calgary and 4 in Boise.
