Lynchburg Hillcats shut out Wilmington

The Lynchburg Hillcats picked up their ninth shutout win of the season on Wednesday night, downing the Wilmington Blue Rocks, 4-0.

Lynchburg (60-58, 31-20) extends their division lead to 1.5 games over Wilmington (60-60, 29-21) in the Carolina League North Division.

Sam Hentges (Win, 6-6) fired 6.1 scoreless innings to lead Lynchburg on Wednesday. The left-hander allowed just two hits and struck out seven.

The Hillcats broke the scoreless tie in the third. Jorma Rodriguez reached on a fielder’s choice and moved to second base on an error. With two out, Mitch Longo ripped an RBI single to left field, scoring Rodriguez for a 1-0 lead. The next hitter, Gavin Collins, punched an RBI double to plate Longo, pushing the advantage to 2-0.

In the seventh, Lynchburg added some insurance. Tyler Friis walked with one out, and went first-to-third on a single by Austen Wade. Emmanuel Tapia then lifted a sacrifice fly to score Friis for a 3-0 lead.

Trenton Brooks delivered a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning to cap the scoring at 4-0.

Ben Krauth took over for Hentges with one out in the seventh, and fired 1.2 scoreless innings, striking out four. Dalbert Siri tossed a scoreless ninth inning.

Wilmington starter Daniel Tillo (Loss, 2-3) allowed two runs on five hits over six innings.

The series concludes on Thursday with the Hillcats going for the three-game sweep. Left-hander Tanner Tully (4-10, 4.49) will start for Lynchburg, against Wilmington righty Nolan Watson (6-2, 3.88). First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

Max Gun will be on the air beginning at 6:25 p.m. on TuneIn Radio and Radio434.

Lynchburg returns to City Stadium for a weekend series against the Frederick Keys, beginning on August 17. It will be Mario Kart Night, featuring a Triston McKenzie bobblehead giveaway to the first 1,000 fans. On Saturday, August 18, the Hillcats will honor retiring General Manager, Ronnie Roberts, with a pre-game ceremony.

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