The Lynchburg Hillcats split a double-header on Saturday against the Buies Creek Astros, losing the first game, 6-2, and winning the night cap of the twin bill, 7-1.
With the split, the Hillcats (52-56, 23-18) will look to take the series from the Astros (25-17, 62-49) in the series finale and rubber match on Sunday
Game One
Tanner Tully (Loss, 3-10) allowed three home runs as the Astros took the first game, 6-2.
Jake Adams started the scoring for Buies Creek in the second inning. He blasted a solo home run, his fifth of the season, to give the Astros a 1-0 lead.
Lynchburg bounced back and took a brief 2-1 lead in the fifth. Emmanuel Tapia and Jodd Carter both walked, and Trenton Brooks followed with a two-out, two-run double.
Buies Creek plated four runs in the fifth inning to go back ahead. Adams led off with a single, and Cody Bohanek then blasted a two-run shot, his first of the year, giving the Astros the lead again at 3-2. Carlos Canelon went back-to-back with Boahnek when he crushed a solo shot, his third, to push the lead to 4-2. After Jacob Meyers doubled, Corey Julks hit an RBI single to extend the lead to 5-2.
Canelon capped the scoring with a run scoring single in the sixth.
Tully tied a season high by giving up three homers. The left-hander allowed five earned runs on six hits over five innings, striking out four. Nick Sandlin made his Hillcats debut and allowed a run in his lone inning of work.
Tyler Ivey started for the Astros, and allowed two earned runs on two hits in 4.1 innings. The Hillcats loaded the bases against him with one out in the first, but he was able to escape damage. Colin McKee (Win, 2-1) fired 2.2 scoreless innings.
Game Two
Lynchburg jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning and never looked back, beating the Astros, 7-1.
Mitch Longo led off the fourth with a double, and Trenton Brooks walked. That set up Nolan Jones, who crushed his first Carolina League home run, a three-run shot, to put Lynchburg ahead.
Now a 3-1 game in the fifth, the Hillcats added to their lead. Tyler Friis picked up his first Carolina League hit, a single, to start the inning, while Jodd Carter and Brooks both walked to load the bases. Li-Jen Chu roped a bases-clearing, three-run double down the left field line, widening the gap to 6-1. Later in the inning, Jorma Rodriguez collected an RBI on a fielder’s choice to cap the scoring at 7-1.
Buies Creek’s lone run came on an RBI groundout from Bryan De La Cruz in the fourth.
Micah Miniard fired three scoreless innings in a spot start, allowing just one hit and striking out four. Jared Robinson (Win, 3-3) gave up a run in two innings, while Ben Krauth and Dalbert Siri each fired scoreless frames.
Cristian Javier started for the Astros and surrendered all seven runs on six hits in 4.1 innings.
The series concludes on Sunday afternoon with the rubber match. Right-hander Eli Morgan (6-4, 3.22) will start for Lynchburg against right-hander Carson LaRue (5-6, 4.99) for Buies Creek. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.
Max Gun will be on the air at 1:50 p.m. with the Hillcats pre-game show on TuneIn Radio and the Radio434 App.
Lynchburg returns home on Friday, August 10. It will Be Margaritaville Night, featuring a live cover band pre-game, as well as $8 beeritas and concession deals. There will also be a t-shirt giveaway to the first 1,000 fans.
For tickets or more information, visit lynchburg-hillcats.com, call 434-528-1144, or visit the City Stadium box office.
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