Lynchburg powers to 5-3 win over Frederick

Home runs from Eric Haase and Luigi Rodriguez in the seventh vaulted the Hillcats to a 5-3 win over the Frederick Keys on Saturday night. Dace Kime made his third start at the high-A level and went five innings, allowing just one run in a no-decision.

The Hillcats took the lead in the first with an RBI double off the left field wall from Nellie Rodriguez, scoring Bradley Zimmer. Lynchburg led 1-0 after one.

Frederick tied things up at one in the fourth. Brenden Webb singled to center, stole second, and scored on a single from Austin Wynns.

The Hillcats retook a one-run lead in the sixth. Eric Haase led off with a hit by a pitch, then went first-to-third on a hit-and-run to left field by Joe Sever. Haase scored on an RBI fielder’s choice by Mike Papi for a 2-1 Hillcats advantage.

Lynchburg used the long ball in the seventh to push the lead to four. Luigi Rodriguez led off the frame with a big fly to right to make it 3-1.

After Nellie Rodriguez reached on an error by Drew Dosch, Eric Haase crushed his third homer of the year to left field for a 5-1 lead.

Frederick scored twice in the eighth to close the gap to two, but Ben Heller completed a four-out save to close out the 5-3 win.

Ben Heller earned his fourth save of the year and his first since April 26… Luigi Rodriguez’s home run was the 22nd solo shot of the year out of the league-leading 32 long balls for Lynchburg…The Hillcats’ 22 solo home runs are more than every other Carolina League team’s total home runs… With the win this evening, the Hillcats improved to 8-5 against lefties… The Hillcats saw a season-high 4,666 fans attend the 9th annual Breast Cancer Awareness Night presented by Centra… It marked the third time this year City Stadium has drawn more than 4,000 fans.

Sunday is another Family Day at City Stadium with a 2 p.m. first pitch. Fans can pick up a Family Four Pack of tickets for $40. There will also be postgame kids run the bases and family catch on the field presented by ABC 13. Fans that can’t make it out to the ballpark can tune into ESPN Radio Virginia 93.3 FM and 1320 AM beginning at 1:40 p.m. for the Hillcats On-Deck Show.