Four Early Runs Pave Way for P-Nats as 'Cats Drop Fifth Straight
Published on June 8, 2018 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Hill City Howlers News Release
Lynchburg, Va. - The Lynchburg Hillcats fell behind early and were downed by Potomac Nationals, 9-3, on Friday night at City Stadium in front of a crowd of 3,339, the second-largest of the season.
Lynchburg (26-30) is now four games games back of Potomac (30-26) for first place in the Northern Division.
The P-Nats jumped on top in the first inning. Lynchburg starter Eli Morgan (Loss, 2-1) retired the first two hitters he faced, but then loaded the bases after Alec Keller and Jake Noll singled and Jack Sundberg walked. That set up Tres Berrera, who ripped a two-run single into center field to give the Nats a 2-0 lead.
Potomac extended their advantage to 4-0 in the second. With runners at the corners, Carter Kieboom plated a run with a sacrifice fly and Keller picked up an RBI double.
The Hillcats got a run back in the second inning. Jodd Carter led off the frame with a double and scored after Li-Jen Chu connected with a double of his own, trimming the deficit to 4-1.
In the fifth, Potomac got that run back. Hillcats reliever Luis Jimenez loaded the bases with two walks and a hit batter, leading Sundberg to drive home a run with a sacrifice fly to push the lead to 5-1.
Lynchburg made it a 5-2 game after Carter lifted a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fifth.
Rhett Wiseman led off the sixth inning and made it a 6-2 contest by blasting a solo home run, his eleventh of the season. Potomac would add three more runs in the ninth inning to put the game out of reach.
Mitch Longo finished with three hits and Trenton Brooks walked three times in the loss. The Hillcats matched a season-high by committing four errors.
Morgan labored through four innings, throwing 89 pitches and allowing four runs on five hits. Jimenez allowed two runs in 1.1 innings, while Billy Strode and Dalbert Siri combined for 3.2 frames of scoreless relief.
Nats starter Wil Crowe (Win, 8-0), allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits in five innings.
The series continues on Saturday when the Hillcats will take on Potomac in a double-header, to make up for the game on May 18 that was postponed due to rain. Righty Zach Plesac (3-2, 4.30) will start Game One for Lynchburg, opposite of P-Nats right-hander Joan Baez (2-4, 4.82). In Game Two, righty Micah Miniard (1-1, 3.21) will get the call for the Hillcats against southpaw Ben Braymer (1-1, 3.21). First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. at City Stadium. Game Two will begin approximately 30 minutes after the completion of the first contest and both games will be seven innings in length.
It will be Sparking Saturday at the ballpark, meaning all fans will enjoy a post-game fireworks show.
Max Gun will be on the air at 3:50 p.m. with the Hillcats pre-game show on TuneIn Radio and the Radio434 App.
For tickets and more information visit Lynchburg-hillcats.com, the City Stadium Box Office, or call 434-528-1144.
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