The Lynchburg Hillcats jumped out to an early 5-0 lead, but the Myrtle Beach Pelicans stormed back to win, 8-5, on Monday night. The Hillcats (22-19) surrendered five runs in the eighth inning in the loss to the Pelicans (18-26).
With Lynchburg leading 5-3 entering the eighth, the Birds trimmed the lead to one after Ben Krauth (Loss, 1-1) issued a bases-leaded walk to Aramis Ademan. The next hitter, Connor Myers, ripped a two-run single to give Myrtle Beach its first lead at 6-5. P.J. Higgins followed with a two-run double off the left field fence to extend the Pelicans’ lead to 8-5, capping the scoring.
Lynchburg scored five runs in the first inning. Mitch Longo swung at the first pitch of the game, and blasted a home run to right field, his second of the season The Hillcats loaded the bases after Conner Capel hit into a fielder’s choice and Trenton Brooks and Anthony Miller both singled. Later in the frame, Emmanuel Tapia ripped a two-run single to center field, scoring Capel and Brooks. With Logan Ice batting, Miller scored on a wild pitch, and then Ice connected with an RBI single to score Tapia.
Lynchburg’s five-run first inning marked the third straight game the Hillcats have scored five or more runs in a frame.
Myrtle Beach instantly chipped into the deficit in the bottom of the first. Jhonny Pereda and Tyler Alamo connected on back-to-back home runs off of Hillcats starter Eli Morgan.
In the fourth inning, the Pelicans drew closer. Kevonte Mitchell led off the inning with a triple and scored on an RBI single from Daniel Spingola, making it a 5-3 game.
Morgan, in his A-Adv. debut, went five innings and allowed three runs on five hits, striking out five. Luis Jimenez pitched two scoreless innings in relief. Justin Garcia gave up two earned runs on two hits in 0.1 innings and Krauth surrendered three earned runs and walked two in 0.2 innings.
Tyson Miller started for Myrtle Beach and settled in after allowing five runs in the first inning. He finished the day by going five innings, allowing eight hits and striking out six. Bailey Clark (Win, 1-1) pitched 3.1 scoreless innings and struck out six. Wyatt Short (Save, 2) picked up the final two outs in the ninth.
The Hillcats continue their series with Myrtle Beach with game two in the series on Tuesday. Right-hander Justin Garza (2-1, 2.16) is scheduled to start and return from the DL for Lynchburg, while the Birds will counter with lefty Bryan Hudson (3-3, 5.23). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at TicketReturn.com Field.
Max Gun will be on the air from Myrtle Beach at 6:55 p.m. with the Hillcats pre-game show on TuneIn Radio and the Radio434 App.
For tickets and more information visit Lynchburg-hillcats.com, the City Stadium Box Office, or call 434-528-1144.
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Chris Graham
