The Lynchburg Hillcats scored its runs in bunches on Tuesday night, beating the Potomac Nationals, 9-3.
Lynchburg (8-5) plated four runs in the first and four more in the fourth inning, as Potomac (6-7), registered just seven hits on the night.
Steven Kwan led off the first inning with a double, and Nolan Jones walked with one out to put two aboard. Oscar Gonzalez followed by ripping an RBI double for a 1-0 Hillcats lead. The next hitter, Trenton Brooks, drove in Jones with an RBI ground out to push Lynchburg’s lead to 2-0. After Austen Wade walked, Dillon Persinger ripped a two-run double to the left-center field for a 4-0 edge.
Potomac stormed back to make it a one-run contest with a three-run fourth. Cole Freeman led off with a single and scored on an RBI double by Telmito Agustin. Aldrem Corredor then drove in Agustin with an RBI single and Gage Canning knocked a run-scoring single later in the frame to trim the deficit to 4-3.
Lynchburg’s offense exploded again in the home half of the fourth inning. Tyler Friis singled to start the frame, and Jones singled to put two on. Gonzalez then connected on his first Carolina League homer, a three-run blast to put the Hillcats ahead 7-3. Brooks doubled and would later score on a run-scoring hit from Persinger.
The Hillcats added the cherry on top when Brooks reached on a walk in the ninth inning and came around to score on an RBI double off the bat of Wade.
The win snaps Lynchburg’s season-high three-game losing skid.
Jean Carlos Mejia (Win, 2-0) started for the Hillcats and logged five innings. He allowed three earned runs on five hits, striking out six. Jared Robinson was terrific in relief, tossing three scoreless innings while striking out four batters. He was followed up by Robert Broom, who pitched a perfect ninth inning with a pair of strikeouts.
Kyle Johnston (Loss, 0-3) started for Potomac and surrendered seven earned runs on eight hits in three innings. Hayden Howard took over in relief, throwing for two innings while allowing one earned run. Andrew Lee tossed the final three innings, allowing an earned run while striking out five.
The Hillcats conclude their series against the Nationals on Wednesday afternoon. Right-hander Eli Morgan (2-0, 0.00 ERA) will toe the slab for Lynchburg against P-Nats right-hander Jackson Tetreault (2-0, 1.80). First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at City Stadium.
Tomorrow will be Education Day at the ballpark. All children can come enjoy their spring break at City Stadium with free entry to the game. It is also Winning Wednesday where EVERY FAN WINS! Any fan who attends the game will receive a free ticket to the following Wednesday’s home game, presented by WNRN.
Max Gun and Anders Jorstad will be on the air beginning at 12:50 p.m. on TuneIn Radio and Radio434.
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
