Warbirds Earn Series Split with Walk-Off Win

Jose Anderson's two-run homer in the 9th lifts Wilson to 5-3 victory over Hill City

Apr. 20, 2026 at 4:50am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the chaotic action of a baseball game, with the uniforms and players of the Warbirds and Howlers clashing in a vibrant, geometric display of energy and movement.The Warbirds' dramatic walk-off win over the Howlers showcases the team's grit and determination as they battle for position in the Carolina League North Division.Salisbury Today

The Wilson Warbirds earned a split of their first home series against the Hill City Howlers, rallying for a 5-3 win on a two-run walk-off homer by center fielder Jose Anderson in the bottom of the 9th inning. The victory moved the Warbirds to 6-9 on the season in the Carolina League.

Why it matters

The Warbirds' first homestand at their new downtown stadium was an important early test, as they looked to build momentum after a slow 3-6 start to the year. Splitting the series with the division-leading Howlers shows the team's resilience and ability to win close games, which will be crucial as they aim to climb the standings in the highly competitive North Division.

The details

Anderson's game-winning blast capped a back-and-forth contest that saw the Warbirds rally from an early 3-1 deficit. Wilson starter Tyler Renz worked 4 innings, escaping a bases-loaded jam in the 1st, before the Howlers took the lead on a 2-run homer by center fielder Robert Arias in the 3rd. The Warbirds tied it in the 5th on an RBI single by shortstop Brady Ebel, then took a 3-2 lead in the 7th on RBI hits from right fielder Handelfry Encarnacion and Anderson. But Hill City knotted the score again in the 8th on an RBI double, setting the stage for Anderson's heroics in the 9th.

  • The Warbirds' first homestand at their new downtown stadium took place over the weekend of April 18-20, 2026.
  • Anderson's game-winning homer came in the bottom of the 9th inning on Sunday, April 20th.

The players

Jose Anderson

The Warbirds' center fielder, who hit a 3-run homer in Friday's win and the game-winning 2-run shot in Sunday's series finale.

Tyler Renz

The Warbirds' starting pitcher, who worked 4 innings and escaped a bases-loaded jam in the 1st.

Robert Arias

The Howlers' center fielder, who hit a 2-run homer in the 3rd inning to give Hill City an early lead.

Brady Ebel

The Warbirds' shortstop, who drove in the tying run with a 2-out single in the 5th inning.

Handelfry Encarnacion

The Warbirds' right fielder, who delivered an RBI single in the 7th inning to give Wilson a 3-2 lead.

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What they’re saying

“That was a huge win for us to split this series. Jose has been swinging a hot bat all weekend, and that walk-off blast was exactly what we needed to get back on track at home.”

— Eddy Morgan, Warbirds Manager

What’s next

The Warbirds hit the road again on Tuesday for a 6-game series against the Delmarva Shorebirds, looking to build on the momentum from their series-splitting win over the Howlers.

The takeaway

The Warbirds' ability to rally late and win a close game against the division-leading Howlers demonstrates the team's resilience and potential to be a factor in the highly competitive Carolina League North Division race. With their new downtown stadium energizing the fanbase, the Warbirds are poised to continue improving as the season progresses.