The Lynchburg Hillcats used 15 hits to win a back-and-fourth battle with Carolina on Sunday, beating the Mudcats, 6-5.
The Hillcats (43-48, 14-10) had six players tally multi-hit games in their victory against the Mudcats (47-46, 13-10).
Tied 5-5 going into the ninth inning, Jodd Carter doubled with one out to get into scoring position. A batter later, Dillon Persinger came through with an RBI single to center to plate the winning run.
The Mudcats plated the first run of the game in the first. Devin Hairston and Dallas Carroll worked back-to-back walks, and Weston Wilson knocked in Hairston with an RBI single to give Carolina an early 1-0 lead.
The Brewers affiliate added another run in the fourth. Cooper Hummel walked and moved to second base on a balk. With two out, Nick Roscetti lined an RBI double down the left field line, plating Hummel to push the lead to 2-0.
The game stayed that way until fifth. Trenton Brooks and Li-Jen Chu both singled to start the inning, and Carter followed by lifting a three-run home run, his team-leading ninth blast of the season, to put Lynchburg ahead 3-2. Later in the inning, Persinger reached second base on an error, paving the way for Jorma Rodriguez, who doubled past a drawn in infield, allowing Persinger to score for a 4-2 advantage.
Carolina chipped away in the fifth, when Hairston hit a solo home run, his first of the year, to trim the deficit to 4-3.
Roscetti hit a sacrifice fly to even the game at 4-4, and Hairston ripped an RBI single with two out to give the Mudcats the lead again, 5-4.
In the eighth, Anthony Miller led off with a triple off the center field wall, and he scored when Alex Pantoja blooped an RBI single to left field to tie the game at 5-5.
Anderson Polanco started for Lynchburg and allowed two earned runs on two hits in 3.2 innings. He walked four and walked six. Riley Echols made his Hillcats debut and surrendered three earned runs on five hits in 2.1 innings. Billy Strode (Win, 3-1) fired two scoreless frames and James Karinchak (Save, 11) worked around a walk in the ninth to nail down the win.
Victor Diaz gave up four runs (three earned) on 11 hits in his start for Carolina. Phil Bickford allowed the tying tun in the eighth inning and Luke Barker (Loss, 4-3) allowed the winning run in the ninth.
The Hillcats and Mudcats return to action on Monday, with the finale of the four-game series. Left-hander Sam Hentges (5-6, 3.44)) will start for Lynchburg, while the Mudcats will counter with right-hander Devin Williams (0-2, 4.32). First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Five County Stadium.
Max Gun and Matt Present will be on the air at 6:50 p.m. with the Hillcats pregame show, on TuneIn Radio and Radio434.
The Hillcats return home on Wednesday, July 18, for six games. Home stand highlights include Winning Wednesday, Thirsty Thursday, featuring $2 Miller Lite and Yuengling drafts, You’re Killing Me Smalls Night on July 20, consisting of an Evan Gattis bobblehead giveaway to the first 1,000 fans, and a used car giveaway on July 21.
For tickets and more information visit lynchburg-hillcats.com, the City Stadium box office, or call 434-528-1144.
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Chris Graham
