The Lynchburg Hillcats had the right combination of strong pitching and clutch hitting on Friday night, as the club defeated the Wilmington Blue Rocks, 3-2, at Frawley Stadium.
The Hillcats (4-5), scored two of their three runs with two out, and received a huge insurance run in the eighth inning to beat the Blue Rocks (3-6).
Up 2-1 in the eighth, Gavin Collins laced a double just inside the first base bag, scoring Trenton Brooks to extend Lynchburg’s lead to 3-1.
Khalil Lee hit a solo homer in the ninth for the Rocks to bring the score to 3-2, but Henry Martinez (Save, 1) retired the next three hitters in order to solidify the win.
Tanner Tully (Win, 1-0) dominated Wilmington’s lineup on Friday. The left-hander pitched seven innings and allowed just four hits, one unearned run and struck out seven. Tully did not issue a walk.
The Hillcats jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Li-Jen Chu led off the frame with a double and Conner Capel worked a walk. A passed ball allowed both Chu and Capel to move to second and third, respectively. Collins followed by scoring Chu with an RBI groundout and Jodd Carter laid down a perfect bunt single with two out to plate Capel.
Ben Krauth worked a perfect seventh inning for the Hillcats, bridging the cap between Tully and Martinez.
Hillcats pitchers threw just 103 total pitches on Friday to beat Wilmington.
Blue Rocks starter Gerson Garabito (Loss, 0-1), allowed two earned runs on three hits in six innings.
Lynchburg will continue their series against Wilmington on Saturday with game three in the four-game series. Right-hander Justin Garza (1-0, 0.00) will start for Lynchburg and Wilmington will counter with righty Arnaldo Hernandez (0-0, 1.59). First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. at Frawley Stadium.
Max Gun will be on the air with pre-game coverage starting at 5:55 p.m. on TuneIn Radio and the Radio434 app.
For tickets or more information, visit lynchburg-hillcats.com, call 434-528-1144, or stop by the City Stadium box office.
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Chris Graham
