CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Nationals Clinch Mills Cup Championship Appearance

Published on September 6, 2013 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


Woodbridge, VA- The Potomac Nationals (2-0 ) downed the Lynchburg Hillcats (0-2) at Pfitzner Stadium in Game Two of the 2013 Carolina League Northern Division Championship Series on a walk-off, game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the 9th through the right side of the infield off the bat of RF Will Piwnica-Worms to claim a 3-2 victory. With the triumph, the Potomac Nationals became 2013 Carolina League Northern Division Champions and clinched a berth to the 2013 Mills Cup Championship Series.

Potomac will face the Salem Red Sox (Boston) as the Southern Division Champions clinched their respective berth for the league title this evening with a 4-3 10th inning win.

The Nationals covet their first Carolina League Championship since the 2010 season in their first playoff appearance since 2011.

Nationals RHP Blake Schwartz (1-0) was excellent through 8.0 innings in which the staff ace tossed 117 pitches and allowed just two runs, and only one earned run. Schwartz, who led the Nationals with eleven wins in the regular season, walked no one, fanned five, and gave up eight base hits. Schwartz did not receive a decision despite the masterful performance.

Lynchburg scored first with one run in the 2nd inning on an RBI double sent to the gap in left center field off the stick off SS Elmer Reyes, who drove in LF Josh Elander's two-base hit.

Potomac evened the score in the 3rd inning on an RBI single off LHP Ryan Hinson, who also did not factor into a decision, for SS Adrian Sanchez punched into right field which scored Piwnica-Worms, who walked to get aboard.

The Hillcats pulled ahead 2-1 in the 4th frame as Reyes lofted a sacrifice fly to center field. CF Michael Taylor launched the ball in the air to C Adrian Nieto who appeared to make a tag on 3B Kyle Kubitza but Home Plate Umpire Junior Valentine ruled Kubitza was safe much to the dismay of the Nationals.

The Nationals tied the game at 2-2 in the 6th off Hinson on a 1-6-3 RBI groundout for Nieto which summoned home Sanchez, who drew a walk to reach base.

The winning pitcher, RHP Greg Holt (1-0) delivered a scoreless 9th inning despite walking the leadoff man, RF David Rohm. Holt got Elander on a 6-3 groundout, Reyes on a fly ball to center field, and 1B Trenton Moses on a comebacker to the mound.

Against the losing pitcher, LHP Jose Lugo (0-1), in the bottom of the 9th inning, 1B Kevin Keyes launched a one-out double, his second off Lugo, to the right field corner. Lugo intentionally walked DH Brandon Miller before striking out LF Randolph Oduber. A passed ball sent Keyes, the winning run to third base and Miller to second base. On a 3-2 pitch, Piwnica-Worms laced a groundball through the right side to send Keyes to home plate which sealed the walk-off win, and ignited a frenzy at The Pfitz.

The Nationals go after their fifth all-time Mills Cup Championship as the 2013 Carolina League Playoffs continue.

Game One of the Mills Cup Championship Series will be played at Pfitzner Stadium on Saturday, September 7th with first pitch set for 6:35pm. The Nationals will host the first two games of the championship set with Games Three, Four (if necessary), and Five (if necessary) scheduled to be played in Salem, VA inside the confines of LewisGale Field at Salem Memorial Ballpark from Tuesday, September 10th through Thursday, September 12th.

Pitching matchups for the Mills Cup Championship Series are to be determined.

The Potomac Nationals Baseball Network will begin streaming Game One of the Carolina League's 2013 Mills Cup Championship Series on Saturday evening with the P-Nats Leadoff Show at 6:20pm in preparation for the live play-by-play broadcast beginning at 6:35pm. Post-season broadcast coverage of Potomac Nationals Baseball is accessible by heading to www.potomacnationals.com .

Potomac Nationals playoff tickets are on sale now and fans may purchase the opportunity to watch the P-Nats chase the 2013 Mills Cup Championship by calling 703-590-2311.

The Potomac Nationals of the Carolina League play at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, Virginia, and are the Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Potomac Nationals 2013 playoff tickets to see Potomac chase a 2013 Carolina League Mills Cup Championship are on sale now. P-Nats 2014 season tickets and mini plans are also available. Sponsorship opportunities for the remainder of the '13 season and beyond are obtainable. Plan your corporate outing now to see the future stars of the Washington Nationals at The Pfitz as the P-Nats offer discounted group rates and all-inclusive picnic options. Visit the P-Nats online at www.potomacnationals.com or call the ticket office at 703-590-2311 for more!

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Carolina League Stories from September 6, 2013


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