Soto Caps Cats to Comeback with Walk-Off Blast
Published on May 4, 2010 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Hill City Howlers News Release
Neftali Soto crushed a two-run homer with one out in the bottom of the ninth to lift the Hillcats to a comeback, walk-off victory, 6-5 over Kinston.
Before tonight, Lynchburg had been 0-9 when trailing after eight innings.
The Cats' bats were silent early on as the Indians jumped out to a 5-0 lead after six innings. Kinston got two runs in the third after Cristo Arnal and Jordan Henry scored. Arnal came home after Justin Reed bobbled Karexon Sanchez's single. Jason Kipnis singled in Henry.
Kyle Bellows hit a one-out solo home run off of Lynchburg starter Mark Serrano.
The K-Tribe added two more in the top of the sixth on a two-RBI single off the bat of Jordan Henry. The Indians had five runs before Lynchburg had its second hit.
An inning later, the comeback began. The Cats scored three times with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. Byron Wiley led off the inning with a walk and later scored on Josh Fellhauer's double. Cody Puckett hit his third home run of the season to drive in Fellhauer to make it 5-3 Kinston after seven.
The Hillcats scored once more in the eighth. Kyle Day doubled with one out, and scored on Jose Gualdron's single. Lynchburg stranded runners at first and second to end the inning.
Puckett walked with one-out, and on the first pitch of his at-bat Soto hit Steve Smith's offering beyond the left field fence.
Mark Serrano threw 4 and two-thirds innings and gave up three runs, all earned. He struck out four. Andrew Bowman gave up two earned runs in relief. After that, the bullpen held the Indians scoreless. Jeremy Horst and Jordan Hotchkiss teamed the effort. Hotchkiss gets the win after throwing a scoreless ninth. The blown save and loss goes to Smith.
Lynchburg and Kinston will be at it again tomorrow at 6:05. It's Win-Win Wednesday at City Stadium. Fans who buy a ticket to tomorrow's game will receive a general admission ticket to the next Wednesday home game (5/19 vs. Wilmington). The Hillcats send out southpaw Matt Fairel (3-0, 3.60 ERA) against Kinston lefty Kelvin De La Cruz (2-2, 3.51 ERA).
Carolina League Stories from May 4, 2010
- Rocks Rolled Over in Extras - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Bullpen and Big Inning Lead Keys to 7-6 Win - Frederick Keys
- Resilient Red Sox Prevail 7-4 in 10 Innings - Salem RidgeYaks
- Keys Take Seesaw Battle with Another One-Run Win - Winston-Salem Dash
- Lynchburg Walks Off with Win - Kinston Indians
- Soto Caps Cats to Comeback with Walk-Off Blast - Hill City Howlers
- Sing The 7th Inning Stretch At Bb&t Coastal Field - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Kennelly's Grand Slam Keys Pelicans Afternoon Win - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- P-Nats Shut Down By Pelicians 9-1 - Potomac Nationals
- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Hill City Howlers
- K-Tribe Notes For Tuesday at Lynchburg - Kinston Indians
- K-Tribe At Home This Weekend - Kinston Indians
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