Lynchburg Hillcats power in sixth past Wood Ducks

The Lynchburg Hillcats scored six unanswered runs on Tuesday night to beat the Down East Wood Ducks, 6-1.

Lynchburg (11-8) broke a 1-1 tie against Down East (13-6) with five runs in the sixth to go ahead for good.

With one out, Nolan Jones and Oscar Gonzalez hit consecutive singles to get the rally started. Then with two away, Gavin Collins muscled an RBI single into left field, plating Jones for a 2-1 Lynchburg lead and chasing Woodies starter Tyler Phillips (Loss, 1-1) from the game. Alex Eubanks entered and walked Mike Rivera to load the bases, and issued another free pass to Jodd Carter which brought home another run. With the bases still full, Luke Wakamatsu ripped a bases-clearing, three-run triple off the center field wall, giving the Hillcats a 6-1 lead to cap the scoring.

Eli Morgan (Win, 3-0) allowed just one run on four hits over six innings. He did not yield a walk and struck out six. The only run he allowed was a solo homer to Tyreque Reed, which gave Down East a brief 1-0 lead.

Morgan has now allowed just two earned runs over 23 innings of work in four starts (0.78 ERA).

Jodd Carter tied the game at 1-1 for Lynchburg with a solo blast to left field, his third of the year in the fifth inning.

Anderson Polanco fired 1.2 scoreless frames in relief and Kyle Nelson picked up the final four outs, striking out three.

Phillips allowed a season-high four earned runs on eight hits over 5.2 innings in the loss for Down East. Eubanks gave up a pair of runs over 1.1 innings of work.

The series against Down East continues on Wednesday with the middle game of the three-game set. Lefty Juan Hillman (1-2, 1.59) is slated to pitch for Lynchburg, while the Woodies will counter with left-hander Jake Latz (0-0, 0.00).

Max Gun will be on the air beginning at 6:50 p.m. on TuneIn Radio and Radio434.

The Hillcats will return home on Friday, April 26 to begin a three-game set against the Wilmington Blue Rocks. The Aloha Weekend series will feature post-game fireworks shows on Friday and Saturday. Saturday’s game is also Autism Awareness Night at City Stadium.

For tickets and more information, visit lynchburg-hillcats.com, the City Stadium box office, or call 434-528-1144