On a bittersweet note, Mudcats play final game in Zebulon
ZEBULON, N.C. (WTVD) -- After 35 years, it was time to say so long to Five County Stadium.
On Sunday afternoon, the Carolina Mudcats played their final game in Zebulon.
In 2026, the team will be named the Wilson Warbirds and will play 25 miles down the road in a new town with a new stadium.
As bittersweet as it is, if this chapter has to close, we're walking away with tons of good memories and good times out here.- Leigha Anderson, Mudcats fan
First pitch was at 1 p.m., and the Mudcat faithful were out in full force, with long lines to get into the stadium.
On the field, the Mudcats didn't exactly go out with a bang, losing 1-0 to the Delmarva Shorebirds.
But after the final out, all the fans were invited on the field one last time. There were many hugs, tears, photos. Long-time fans soaked it all in.
Two couples told ABC11 that without Five County Stadium and the Mudcats, they would have never met their spouses.
"It's an emotional time, it's an emotional day," said Nicole Girardot, who met her future husband at a Mudcats game. "Mudcats have been part of my family for my whole entire life.
"Met my husband here, got engaged here, and then just, the last game is hard," she added.
Another fan described her deep ties to the stadium and team.
"I've been coming out here since I was in high school. Didn't think I was going to meet my future husband out here, but I'm certainly thankful to the Mudcats. Sad, but happy, because we have so many memories here," said Leigha Anderson. "I mean, our wedding reception was upstairs in the restaurant, my brother's graduation was here. We've celebrated so - birthday parties - we've celebrated so many milestones out here. As bittersweet as it is, if this chapter has to close, we're walking away with tons of good memories and good times out here."
