Lynchburg Hillcats, Salem Red Sox split two

A six-run fifth inning transformed a three-run deficit into a three-run lead, helping the Salem Red Sox avoid being swept on Sunday at City Stadium. While Lynchburg prevailed 4-1 in the opener, Salem changed the same score into a 7-4 triumph with its big fifth frame in the nightcap. With the Sox down 4-3, David Renfroe launched a grand slam to straight away center, surging Salem in front for the first time on the day. The Salem Sox are back at LewisGale Field on Monday for the final week of the first half.

In game one, the Sox threatened constantly, but rarely capitalized. Despite putting runners aboard in six of their seven innings, the Red Sox mustered just one run, stranding 11 men aboard, including the bases loaded twice. The Hillcats scored three times against Mike Augliera in the last of the second and added one more in the third to assume a 4-0 lead. Kyle Kubitza went 3-for-3 in the opening game for the Hillcats, while Will Skinner registered three hits over the course of the doubleheader, finishing a triple shy of the cycle over the two games.

Salem’s streak of avoiding shutouts was in danger when it remained 4-0 into the top of the seventh, but Deven Marrero, Garin Cecchini, and Keury De La Cruz strung together three straight singles to bring in one run in the final frame. Both Brandon Jacobs and Blake Swihart would bat representing the tying run, but the former struck out and the latter grounded into a game-ending double play against Lynchburg’s John Cornely, who picked up his second save. Marrero, Cecchini, and De La Cruz all finished with two hits in the first game, in which Salem outhit Lynchburg 10-8.

In game two, the Sox fell behind once again, with Mike McCarthy surrendering two runs in the third and two more in the fourth after pitching perfectly through his first two innings. While Carson Blair and Renfroe delivered back-to-back doubles in the top of the fourth to bring home one run, the Sox trailed 4-1 again when Skinner launched a two-run homer to left.

The pivotal fifth inning began with Henry Ramos drawing a leadoff walk from Lynchburg starter Jarrett Miller. Nick Natoli flew out, but then Cecchini walked and De La Cruz doubled, driving in one and putting the tying runs in scoring position. Against the new pitcher James Hoyt, Felix Sanchez singled to left to make it 4-3, and then he stole second to precede Blair’s walk that loaded the bases. On a 3-1 pitch, Renfroe cleared the bases with a towering line drive over the center-field fence. It was Renfroe’s third homer of the year and Salem’s second grand slam.

Robby Scott tossed a pair of scoreless innings to earn the victory out of the Red Sox bullpen, while Matt Price pitched around a one-out walk to earn his fourth save, dealing a scoreless seventh.

After splitting four games in Lynchburg over Tuesday, the Red Sox return to the Roanoke Valley for an eight-game, seven-day homestand at Salem Memorial Ballpark, starting on Monday night against Wilmington. The7:05 first pitch features a pair of southpaws, with Henry Owens taking the mound for the Sox opposite Blue Rocks lefty Sam Selman.