Hillcats earn series win over Keys in Thursday matinee

The Hillcats were outhit 10-4 on Thursday, but six walks and timely hitting pushed them to a series win over the Frederick Keys. Joe Sever continued his hot hitting and Adam Plutko turned in another quality performance in a 6-3 win.

Frederick took the lead in the top of the first with a sacrifice fly from Drew Dosch that scored Tucker Nathans who doubled to lead off the frame.

Joe Sever pulled the Hillcats even in the second with his fourth home run of the year. Sever hit the ball off the scoreboard in left-center field and rounded the bases for his third homer in four games.

Lynchburg pulled away with five runs in the fourth inning, only using two hits. Nellie Rodriguez led off with a walk, Sever was hit by a pitch, andMike Papi took four straight pitches to load the bases. Juan De La Cruz gave the Hillcats their first lead on a groundout that scored Rodriguez. Ivan Castillo then rolled a ball to short that Adrian Marin misplayed to give the Hillcats a 3-1 advantage. Another run scored before another pitch was thrown, as Keys’ starter Jarett Miller’s pick-off throw went wide of first base and allowed Papi to score. The Hillcats scored the first three runs of the inning, without the benefit of a hit. Luigi Rodriguez followed with an RBI double that Clint Frazier mimicked one batter later and the Hillcats led 6-1 after four.

Gregory Lorenzo collected an RBI single in the fifth to bring the Keys within four and another run would score in the ninth on a throwing error, but the Hillcats fourth inning was too much for Frederick and Lynchburg earned a 6-3 win.

Adam Plutko allowed two runs on six hits in six innings of work for his third win of the year. Plutko is now 3-2 and has six quality starts in seven chances.

Friday’s game against the Wilmington Blue Rocks is a Kids T-shirt Giveaway to the first 500 kids 14 and under presented by High Peak Sportswear and WYYD. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m. Fans that can’t make it out to the ballpark can tune in to ESPN Radio Virginia 93.3 FM and 1320 AM beginning at 6:10 p.m. for the Hillcats’ On-Deck Show.