Salem tops Cats in series finale
September 7, 2009 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Lynchburg Hillcats News Release
Brad Correll ripped an RBI double in the top of the ninth inning to give Salem a 6-5 comeback victory over Lynchburg at City Stadium Monday afternoon. With the win, Salem clinched a berth in the 2009 Carolina League playoffs. The Hillcats will host Wilmington in game one of the Northern Division Championship Series at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday.
Lynchburg (28-42, 73-66)) drew first blood with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second. Kris Watts smacked a solo home run - his seventh homer of the season - leading off the frame. Tony Sanchez followed with a double off Salem starter Stephen Fife. After advancing to third on a groundout by Alex Presley, Sanchez scored when Jose De Los Santos reached on an error by Fife, which gave the Cats a 2-0 advantage.
The Cats extended their lead with a run in the third. Jordy Mercer hit a one-out double and Jamie Romak followed with an RBI double to make it a 3-0 ballgame.
Salem (35-35, 67-72) got on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth when Anthony Rizzo belted a solo home run off Cats reliever Tom Boleska. Rizzo's blast reduced Lynchburg's lead to 3-1.
Lynchburg added a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth. After Fife retired the first two Hillcat hitters, Matt Hague hit a bloop single to left field. Presley knocked in Hague with his league-leading 11th triple. After De Los Santos drew a walk, Fife picked the Lynchburg centerfielder off first base. De Los Santos stayed in a rundown long enough for Presley to race home and extend the lead to 5-1.
The Red Sox drew closer in the top of the seventh when Zach Borowiak hit a two-run double off Lynchburg reliever Mike Colla, which reduced the deficit to 5-3.
Salem tacked on two more runs in the eighth when Harrison Bishop surrendered a two-run double to Tim Federowicz, which knotted the score at 5-5.
With Ryan Dent at third base and two outs in the ninth, Correll delivered what proved to be the game-winning hit, as he doubled off Lynchburg's Noah Krol.
Red Sox closer Derrick Loop worked a scoreless inning in the bottom of the ninth to preserve Salem's 6-5 win.
Robert Coello (5-3) tossed two innings of scoreless relief to earn the win for Salem. Krol (1-1) took the loss. Loop picked up his 18th save.
With the regular season now complete, Lynchburg will turn its attention to the postseason, which begins with the 2009 Carolina League Northern Division Championship Series. The Hillcats will play host to Wilmington in the first two games of the series on Wednesday and Thursday. Lynchburg will send LHP Justin Wilson (6-8, 4.50 ERA) to the mound in game one. Wilmington is expected to counter with RHP Eduardo Paulino (10-6, 3.63 ERA). First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. Wednesday.
Carolina League Stories from September 7, 2009
- Morel's Homer Puts Finale Out Of Reach For Pelicans - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Salem Strides To Playoffs with 6-5 Comeback Win - Salem Red Sox
- Morel powers Dash past Pelicans in regular season finale - Winston-Salem Dash
- Red Sox clinch playoff berth, Game 3 to be held in Salem Friday - Salem Red Sox
- Hannah's benefit a smashing success - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Salem tops Cats in series finale - Lynchburg Hillcats
- P-Nats Plate Eight Late to K.O. K-Tribe - Potomac Nationals
- Rocks Close Regular Season in Style with Win - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- K-Tribe Season Comes To An End With a 9-4 Loss at Potomac - Kinston Indians
- Keys Shutout in Finale - Frederick Keys
- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
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