Salem loses pitchers’ duel with Keys
Keith Couch was very, very good, but Trent Howard was even better on Saturday night, shutting down the Sox for six shutout innings in Frederick’s 1-0 win over Salem at LewisGale Field.
Howard scattered one hit and two walks, retiring the final 11 batters he faced over six innings in his second ever Carolina League start. Two Keys relievers pitched in and out of trouble, navigating through Salem opportunities as the Sox came up empty with runners in scoring position in the seventh and eighth frames. Couch permitted just four hits in six phenomenal innings, but one big swing from Aaron Baker provided all the offense Frederick needed in acquiring its fourth shutout win of the season. It was the second shutout loss for the Red Sox. Read more
Frederick doubles up Salem
Mike Wright remained the panacea to all of Frederick’s problems, outdueling Drake Britton in the Keys’ 6-3 victory over the Red Sox on Friday night at LewisGale Field.
While the Keys have gone just 7-22 in games started by other pitchers, Frederick improved to 6-2 with the Wright guy on the mound, improving their league-worst record to 13-24 in the series opener in Salem. Britton matched Wright through five scoreless innings, but the Keys broke through in a four-run sixth and never trailed to spoil the beginning of the Sox’ homestand. Read more
Lynchburg endures ninth-inning rally, completes sweep
The Hillcats held on after a scare in the ninth to win 7-6 and completed a three-game sweep of the Frederick Keys today. First baseman Aaron Baker’s three-run homer in the final inning brought the Keys within one but it wasn’t enough in the end. Center fielder Matt Lipka set the table all afternoon for the Hillcats, finishing the day 3-for-4, with a walk and a career-high four runs scored.
It was deja vu in the first inning Sunday. Third baseman Edward Salcedo put the Hillcats up 2-0 with a bases loaded single in the top of the first inning yesterday and did the same this afternoon. His single plated Lipka and designated hitter Tim Smith. The ‘Cats led 2-0 after one half inning. Read more
Lynchburg pitching shines in 5-1 win over Frederick
The Hillcats shut down the Keys for the second straight day, winning 5-1 at Harry Grove Stadium. Lynchburg’s pitching limited the Keys to just three hits on the afternoon, while second baseman Tommy La Stella delivered the big hit with a three-run home run in the fifth inning.
Lynchburg struck first with four singles up the middle in the top of the first inning. Center fielder started the rally with a leadoff single. With one out, La Stella and left fielder Evan Gattis both singled to load the bases for third baseman Edward Salcedo. Salcedo hit a chopper up the middle for yet another single. Lipka and La Stella both scored to make it 2-0 Hillcats. Read more
Hillcats win pitching duel
The Hillcats recorded their first shutout of the season tonight, defeating the Frederick Keys 1-0. RHP Aaron Northcraft threw the first six and two-thirds innings, followed by an inning from RHP Andrew Wilson, and the last inning and a third was thrown by LHP Matt Chaffee to complete the combined shutout. The lone run in the game was provided by designated hitter Evan Gattis’ ninth home run of the season. Read more
Lynchburg loses slugfest
The Hillcats lose a slugfest 11-6 to six the Frederick Keys in game two of the series. The Keys were paced by Ronnie Welty’s five RBI performance. Evan Gattis added his league leading sixth home run and 20th RBI of the season. However, it wasn’t enough to overcome a hot hitting Frederick offense. Read more
Lynchburg wins with walkoff homer
The Hillcats take the opening game of a four game set with the Frederick Keys, 3-1, off the bat of Carolina League “Player of the Week” Evan Gattis. The Hillcats’ catcher broke a 1-1 tie with his league-leading fifth home run of the season in the bottom of the ninth, giving the ‘Cats their league-best ninth win of the year.
If you enjoy pitching and clutch hitting, that’s exactly what you got in Lynchburg for game one of a four-game set between the Frederick Keys and the Lynchburg Hillcats. Highly regarded Hillcats prospect, J.R. Graham, made his third start of the season versus Carolina League ERA leader, Scott Copeland. Read more
