Cup of Coffee: Cheng hits for first cycle in WooSox history; Arias keeps rolling
4/11 Cup of Coffee: It was a memorable day down on the farm, led by a cycle from Tsung-Che Cheng (pictured) in the Worcester victory. Cheng's effort supported another strong start from Jake Bennett. Franklin Arias had a three-hit night in Portland's win, while the entire RidgeYak lineup contributed to the Salem victory. Greenville took the system's only loss on Friday despite a strong effort from 2025 first-round pick Kyson Witherspoon.
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The first-place WooSox won their third straight game and eighth of their last nine. Tsung-Che Cheng tripled, walked, doubled, then homered in his first four plate appearances. Needing only a single, he came to the plate in the eighth with Allan Castro on first and nobody out. A well-placed bunt down the third-base line was fielded by the pitcher, whose throw sailed past the first baseman, with Castro scoring and Cheng racing to third. The play was scored a single and two-base error, making Cheng the first player in the WooSox' six-year history to hit for the cycle. The last player in the franchise's lineage to do so was Henry Ramos of the PawSox in 2016.
Along with Cheng's historic effort, both Kristian Campbell and Braiden Ward were on base four times. Campbell drove a 105.1 mph line drive off the left field wall for an RBI double, his third of the season, and he registered three walks. Ward walked once and was hit by pitches three times, stealing a base. He now has a .474 OBP despite a batting average of only .259.
Jake Bennett turned in a strong effort on the mound in his third Worcester outing. He allowed one run on only two hits across 5 1/3 innings, striking out four without issuing a walk. It was the first earned run that Bennett has surrendered this year, raising his ERA to 0.68. Kyle Keller, Noah Song, and Tommy Kahnle gave up one earned run apiece to hold the WooSox advantage.
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Franklin Arias has been on a tear to open the 2026 campaign. The 20-year-old shortstop had another three hits on Friday, recording a double and two singles along with an RBI and a run scored. He is now 7 for 13 in his first five games. Nate Baez delivered the big blast for the Sea Dogs, a third-inning three-run homer that gave them a lead they would not relinquish. Tyler McDonough added a pair of hits. Starter Dalton Rogers went the first 3 2/3, allowing a pair of unearned runs, walking three, and striking out two. Cade Feeney was credited with the win for his 2 1/3 shutout innings of relief. Erik Rivera went three scoreless frames for the save.
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Kyson Witherspoon was solid in his second pro appearance, but the Drive were held to just three hits by a quartet of Spartanburgers. Witherspoon went four innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits. He pounded the strike zone, throwing 44 of 57 for strikes as he struck out six batters without issuing a walk. Ben Hansen struck out four across three hitless innings of relief, allowing two baserunners on a walk and a hit batter. Hub City walked off with the win with a ninth-inning RBI single off of PJ Labriola. Mason White and Yophery Rodriguez both singled and were hit by a pitch for Greenville, with White scoring a run and Rodriguez recording an RBI.
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Salem advanced to 6-1 on the young season with its fifth straight win and fourth in a row over Wilson. Every Salem batter reached base in the effort, with Stanley Tucker going 2 for 4. Skylar King blasted a solo homer, and Starlyn Nunez ripped a two-run double in the fifth that gave Salem crucial insurance runs. Enddy Azocar added a triple and a walk for the RidgeYaks. Madinson Frias overcame some wobbly control as he walked five batters in 3 1/3 innings but allowed only two runs (one earned) while striking out four. Ethan Walker was outstanding in 4 1/3 scoreless innings of relief, striking out nine of the 17 batters he faced. Adam Bates surrendered a pair of runs in his 1 1/3 innings but held on for the save.
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Player of the Day: Tsung-Che Cheng put himself into the Worcester record books with the first cycle since the team's move from Pawtucket in 2021. Claimed off waivers from the Pirates in the offseason, Cheng has been a standout in the Worcester lineup. Through nine games, he is 11 for 30 with a double, two triples, three homers, and nine walks, giving him a .367/.513/.833 slash line. The 24-year-old was originally signed by the Pirates in 2019, reaching the majors for three games in 2025.
Photo Credit: Tsung-Che-Cheng by Kelly O'Connor