The Lynchburg Hillcats scored in only three innings in their 11-4 win over the Carolina Mudcats this afternoon. The ‘Cats scored four in the third inning, three in the fourth, and four more in the seventh. Ross Heffley and Emerson Landoni led the offense with three hits each, while Greg Ross earned the win in his second start of the season for Lynchburg.
Cory Brownsten broke up the scoreless tie today with an RBI-single in the third inning. Landoni drove in another with a single two batters later, as the first five batters reached in the frame. With the bases loaded and nobody out, William Beckwith and Robby Hefflinger contributed back-to-back sacrifice flies. The Hillcats led 4-0.
Eight batters saw the box in the third, and all nine came up in the fourth. Elmer Reyes grounded into a fielder’s choice, scoring Matt Weaver who doubled to lead off the inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, Beckwith hit a tapper to the third base side of the mound. The pitcher, Shawn Morimando, committed an error allowing all runners to advance safely. Hefflinger then drew an a walk and collected his second RBI of the game. He currently leads the club with 26 on the season.
Ross shutout the Mudcats through five innings today, allowing only two hits, both to Yhoxian Medina. He ran into trouble in the sixth. Tyler Naquin led off the inning with a solo home run just inside to foul pole in right, his third of the year. The next two batters grounded out to second base. Ross then walked Jordan Smith and gave up an RBI-double to Luigi Rodriguez, before getting relieved by Caleb Brewer. Brewer gave up back-to-back hits before getting out of the inning. The Mudcats were within three runs, trailing 7-4.
In the top of the seventh, the Hillcats erased the brief Carolina comeback with four more runs. Landoni highlighted the rally with a two-run single.
Ross (1-0) earned the win tossing a season-high 5.2 innings. He surrendered four hits, walked three, and struck out six, while allowing three earned runs. Morimando (1-5) took the loss for Carolina. He gave up seven runs, five earned, on seven hits and four walks while fanning two.
The Hillcats improved to 19-15 with their third straight win. They are now in a tie for first place in the Northern Division with the Potomac Nationals.
Lynchburg will go for the sweep tomorrow night in Zebulon. First pitch is set for 7:15pm. RHP Navery Moore (2-4, 6.69) will start for the Hillcats against RHP Joseph Colon (0-0, 4.50) for Carolina. Listen live to the call with Erik Wilson starting with the Hillcats On-Deck Show powered by Honda/Suzuki of Lynchburg starting at 6:50pm on 97.9 FM The Planet and online atlynchburg-hillcats.com
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Chris Graham
