Lynchburg held a 2-0 lead going into the bottom of the sixth inning of the second game of a doubleheader, but Frederick pushed across four runs and held on for a 4-3 victory to cap off a three-game series sweep of the Hillcats Wednesday afternoon at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium. The Keys took the first contest of the day, 7-0.
Lynchburg (2-5) was looking for a doubleheader split when the second game began, and the Hillcats started strong in that direction thanks to five shutout innings from Michael Peoples. In his 2015 debut, the right-hander only allowed two hits and one walk while striking out six and left with a 2-0 lead to his name.
The Hillcats built their advantage with one run in each of the third and fifth frames. In the third, James Roberts lead off with a double, advanced to third on a groundout by Ivan Castillo, and scored on a wild pitch.
In the fifth inning, Joe Sever singled to center. Three batters later, Clint Frazier was hit by a pitch to extend the frame forBradley Zimmer, who came through with a two-out single to right to bring home Sever.
Frederick stormed back with four two-out RBIs in the sixth. Drew Dosch singled home Adrian Marin from second. Two batters later, Brenden Webb doubled to drive in Dosch and advance Trey Mancini to third. With the score tied, 2-2, Tucker Nathanssingled up the middle to plate Webb and Mancini and give Frederick its first lead of the game, 4-2.
Lynchburg rallied in the seventh after Frazier singled, Zimmer walked, and Nellie Rodriguez singled to load the bases with one out. Paul Hendrix hit a sacrifice fly to cut the score to 4-3, but the Hillcats stranded the tying and go-ahead runs on base to see their losing streak stretch to four games.
Williams Louico (1-0) earned the victory with 1 1/3 innings of relief, while Dylan Rheault recorded the final two outs to earn a save. Robbie Aviles (0-1) took the loss after being charged with four runs on six hits in 2/3 of an inning.
In the first contest of the day, Lynchburg was blanked on a complete-game effort by lefty Mitch Horacek. Horacek (1-1) struck out four and only allowed three hits in seven innings. Eric Haase and Paul Hendrix each had doubles, while Frazier added a single. Zimmer and Frazier have each hit safely in six of the team’s first seven games.
Lynchburg plays its home opener against Potomac Thursday at 6:30 p.m. It’s Opening Night Pennant Giveaway presented by Pepsi and WROV, and the first 1,000 fans will receive a pennant. Gates open at 5:30. Adam Plutko (0-1, 1.50) will be opposed by Potomac’s Brian Rauh (1-0, 0.00). The game will be broadcast live on ESPN Radio 93.3/1320 AM and www.lynchburg-hillcats.com, beginning with the Hillcats On-Deck Show at 6:10 p.m.
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