The Hillcats snapped a three-game losing streak tonight with 6-4 win over the Winston Salem Dash. After getting shut out in two consecutive games, the Hillcats exploded with 14 hits tonight. Elmer Reyes had four hits, driving in one and scoring one. Meanwhile, Kyle Kubitza had two hits, and Levi Hyams had a double, both extending their hitting streaks to eight games.
Matt Lipka kick started the Hillcats (16-24, 52-57) offense with a leadoff double in the first. With two outs the third baseman Chris Curley committed an error throwing wildly to first base after fielding a ground ball off the bat of Shawn McGill. Lipka scored on the error, and the next batter David Rohm tripled to drive in McGill.
Dash (21-22, 59-54) starter Bryan Blough ran into more trouble in the second inning. Reyes doubled for his first of four hits with nobody on and one out. Lipka then singled home Reyes after a walk to Emerson Landoni. Another error was committed on the infield as Hyams reached on a fielder’s choice. The second baseman Micah Johnson missed the catch on the throw from shortstop Joey DeMichele. The bases loaded for Kubitza who singled home two runs putting the Hillcats up 5-0.
Hillcats starter Williams Perez retired his first five batters tonight. With two outs and the bases empty, Rangel Ravelo hit a line drive up the middle that hit Perez square in the back. After a brief break in the action and two warm-up tosses, Perez stayed in the game. He got out of the second stranding Ravelo.
Winston-Salem started their gradual comeback in the third. DeMichele singled home Grant Buckner. They added another run in the fourth. Kevan Smith singled to lead off the frame and scored on a Courtney Hawkins double. Perez (4-1) tossed a scoreless fifth inning before allowing single runs in the sixth and seventh innings as well. The Dash climbed back within one run entering the eighth inning trailing 5-4.
Reyes collected his fourth hit in the eighth inning driving in pinch-runner Matt Weaver with a single. The Hillcats led 6-4 and sent out John Cornely to pitch the bottom of the eighth.
Perez allowed four earned runs on 10 hits, walked no one, and struck out six in seven innings of work. Cornely would retire all six batters he faced through the eighth and ninth innings recording his fourth save of the season and securing the win for Perez.
The series is now tied 1-1 with the rubber match finale set for tomorrow night at 7pm. LHP Ryan Hinson (1-2, 1.73) will start on the mound for the Hillcats against RHP Myles Jaye (7-5, 4.38) for the Dash. The Hillcats On-Deck Show powered by Honda/Suzuki of Lynchburg will go on the air at 6:40pm. Listen live to Erik Wilson with the call on 97.9 FM The Planet and online at lynchburg-hillcats.com
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Chris Graham
