Series Opening Success for Hillcats
June 1, 2009 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Lynchburg Hillcats News Release
The Hillcats scored five unanswered runs en route to their 19th comeback victory of the season and improved to 15-1 in series openers with a 5-3 victory over Frederick.
Frederick got on the board first with a run in the opening frame. Matt Angle doubled to start the Keys offensive evening and scored on an RBI groundout by Tyler Henson.
The Hillcats tried to the game in the second inning but a good defensive play kept them off the board. Kris Watts was thrown out trying to score from first on a two-out double by Jared Keel. That play preserved the one run lead.
In the fourth inning Frederick tacked on two more runs to their advantage with a two-run home run by Billy Rowell to make it a 3-0 game.
In the top of the fifth though, Lynchburg got on the board in a big way with three runs in the frame. Jared Keel started the scoring with a solo home run with one out, his fifth homer of the season. Later in the inning Jordy Mercer singled home two more runs with two outs to tie the game at three a piece.
In the next frame the Cats would take their first lead with two more runs. Matt Hague's leadoff solo home run put them in front 4-3. It was the first homer in 53 at-bats for the Lynchburg first baseman. Alex Presley singled home the second run with two outs to give the Hillcats five unanswered runs and a two-run advantage.
That lead would hold up thanks to four scoreless innings by the Cats bullpen. Christian Castorri and Michael Dubee both pitched two scoreless frames after starter Paul Mildren worked the first five innings.
Mildren (3-4) earned the win for Lynchburg (33-17) who improved to a season-best 16 games over .500 and moved to 15-1 in series openers this season. Starter Pedro Beato (3-4) took the loss for Frederick (25-26).
The middle-game of the three-game series takes place on Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. at Harry Grove Stadium. Right-hander Matt McSwain (5-1, 3.54) will toe the rubber for the Hillcats opposite left-hander Zach Britton (2-1, 2.45) for the Keys.
Carolina League Stories from June 1, 2009
- Rocks Fall in Series Opener - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Nats Stave off Sox 8-6 - Potomac Nationals
- Sox Lose for 11th Time in 14 Games - Salem Red Sox
- Hillcats Take Opener from Keys - Frederick Keys
- Series Opening Success for Hillcats - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Chinshall Homers as Kinston Downs Blue Rocks 3-2 - Kinston Indians
- Johnson's Blast Powers Dash Past Birds 4-2 - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Dash Pitch Past Pelicans, Take Series Opener - Winston-Salem Dash
- Dash to Host Season-Ticket Holder Appreciation Night - Winston-Salem Dash
- Matusz is Carolina League Pitcher of the Week - Frederick Keys
- Linares Rewarded With Player of the Week Honors - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Hillcats at Keys - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Nationals vs. Red Sox - Potomac Nationals
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