Rally 'Cats Fall Short in Extras
Published on April 10, 2011 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Lynchburg Hillcats News Release
Woodbridge, VA - Lynchburg erased three separate deficits against Potomac on Sunday afternoon at Pfitzner Stadium but ultimately fell 6-5 in ten innings of action. Phil Gosselin homered, drove-in three runs and now has six RBI through two games this season.
For the second straight contest Potomac struck first with the first run of the game. Steven Souza smashed a monster home run out to left field to give the first baseman two long balls in as many games this season and put the P-Nats in front 1-0 in the bottom of the second inning.
Lynchburg got on the board in the top of the fourth inning to tie the game at one a piece. After Adam Milligan tripled to start the frame and scored on an RBI ground out by Joey Terdoslavich. An inning later the Hillcats took their first lead thanks to a two-run home run by Phil Gosselin that made it a 3-1 contest. The first homer of the season by a Hillcat gave the former UVA Cavalier five RBI in his first two games of the season.
The Nationals would fight back though with three unanswered runs to take a 4-3 advantage. An RBI single by Rick Hague in the bottom of the fifth inning pulled the P-Nats back within a run at 3-2. An inning later Potomac regained the lead with a pair of runs. Cutter Dykstra, son of former Lynchburg Met and Major League great Lenny Dykstra, worked an RBI walk to knot up the contest at three a piece. The next batter Eury Perez drove-in the go-ahead run with an RBI fielder's choice to give the P-Nats a 4-3 lead.
The Hillcats though put their rally caps on again in the seventh inning to take back that lead with three doubles in the frame. Cory Brownsten, Andrelton Simmons and Todd Cunningham all went two-bagging with Simmons and Cunningham both bringing in a run to put the 'Cats back in front 5-4.
Unfortunately the advantage was short lived as Potomac plated a pair in the bottom of the seventh to give the P-Nats. Souza doubled in the tying run, which was his third RBI of the two-game series. The go-ahead run scored on an error by the Hillcats' third baseman Joe Leonard. The fourth lead change of the game gave the Nationals a 6-5 edge.
The 'Cats weren't done yet though as they would comeback for a third time on the afternoon in the top of the ninth inning to force extra innings in Woodbridge. Brownsten started the inning with a base hit to help set the stage. Second baseman Matt Weaver followed with a bunt single to put a pair of 'Cats on the base paths with nobody out. After a sac bunt by Simmons advanced the runners, Gosselin would come to the dish again. A ground out to the right side would drive-in the game tying run and give "Goose" six RBI in the first two games of the campaign.
Despite Lynchburg's best efforts, Potomac would have the last laugh as they won in walk-off fashion in the bottom of the tenth inning. Rick Hague belted a game-winning RBI double to give the P-Nats their first win of the season and a split in the two-game series.
The win went to reliever Pat Lehman (1-0) who blew the save in the ninth inning for Potomac (1-1). The loss went to Andrew Wilson (0-1) for Lynchburg (1-1).
After an off-day on Monday the Hillcats return to action on Tuesday night with game one of a three-game series at their 460 Rivals, the Salem Red Sox. The series opener is slated for a 7:05 p.m. first pitch at Salem Memorial Ballpark. Catch all the live action beginning at 6:40 p.m. with the Hillcats On-Deck Show presented by Honda/Suzuki of Lynchburg on 105.5 FM KD Country and online at lynchburg-hillcats.com.
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