Lynchburg outhits Wilmington, but can’t complete comeback

Everything was looking good after the first for the Hillcats with a 2-0 lead, but small ball, and walks doomed Lynchburg in a 5-3 loss in Wilmington on Saturday night

Ivan Castillo led off the top of the first with a triple and later scored when Bradley Zimmer knocked him in with a single. After Nellie Rodriguezsingled and Zimmer went first to third, Alex Monsalve picked up and RBI on a sacrifice fly to right to make it 2-0 Hillcats.

Wilmington tied it up in the second with two runs of their own without the benefit of a hit. Frank Schwindel got things started when he was hit by a pitch. Logan Moon and Daniel Rockett followed with walks to load the bases. Dexter Kjerstad collected an RBI on a fielder’s choice and then stole second. On the same play, Moon stole home tying the game at two.

The Blue Rocks took a two run advantage in the fourth when Schwindel led off with a home run and Moon scored on a wild pitch after he singled, stole second, and moved to third on a ground out.

Joe Sever had an RBI double in the sixth to bring the Hillcats within one, but Wilmington scored an insurance run in the eighth on an RBI triple fromMoon to push their advantage to 5-3, which would be the final.

Sunday’s game begins at 1:35 p.m. Fans can tune in beginning at 1:15 p.m. for The Hillcats On-Deck Show from Wilmington.