The Lynchburg Hillcats stormed from behind to beat the Potomac Nationals, 5-3, on Saturday in Game One of a scheduled double-header.
The Hillcats (27-30) halted a five-game losing streak and pulled to just three games behind Potomac (30-27) in the Northern Division.
The second game of the twin bill, which was scheduled due to the wash out on May 18, was cancelled due to rain.
Down 2-1 in the fifth inning, the Hillcats scored four runs to register their 12th come-from-behind win this season. P-Nats starter Joan Baez loaded the bases when Mitch Longo singled, and Trenton Brooks and Anthony Miller walked. Taylor Guilbeau was summoned out of the bullpen, and Luke Wakamatsu greeted him with a two-run double down the right field line, scoring Longo and Brooks to give Lynchburg a 3-2 lead. Two batters later, with the bases re-loaded, Logan Ice knocked a two-run double of his own to left field, scoring Miller and Wakamatsu to extend the Hillcats lead to 5-2.
Dillon Persinger opened the scoring for Lynchburg by blasting a solo home run, his second of the season, in the first inning.
Potomac jumped out to a 2-1 lead with a pair of runs in the fourth off of Zach Plesac (Win, 4-2). Ian Sagdol led off the inning with a single and moved to second base on a balk. He then advanced to third base on a sacrifice bunt and Rhett Wiseman walked to put runners on the corners. David Masters followed by laying down a safety squeeze, and Plesac’s throw home was late as Sagdol scored to tie the game. Later in the frame, Blake Perkins singled home Wiseman to put the Nats in front.
Potomac scored a run on a double play ball in the sixth, but James Karinchak (Save, 5) closed the door to preserve the 5-3 win.
Plesac, in his first start with Lynchburg since May 19 after a three-start stint with Double-A Akron, allowed three runs on seven hits in five innings. Karinchak pitched a season-high two innings to earn the six-out save.
Baez surrendered four runs on four hits in 4.2 innings, while issuing five walks. Guilbeau allowed a run on three hits in 1.1 innings of work.
Lynchburg’s homestand will conclude on Sunday, with the series finale against Potomac. Right-hander Justin Garza (2-3, 4.65) will start for the Hillcats against P-Nats righty Tyler Mapes (4-1, 2.15). First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. at City Stadium.
Sunday will be Sandlot Sunday, featuring post-game kids the run the bases, family catch in the outfield and wiffle ball.
Max Gun will be on the air at 1:50 p.m. with the Hillcats pre-game show 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
