Lynchburg splits two

The Lynchburg Hillcats could not pull off a comeback in a continuation game, falling 5-4 to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, but rebounded for a 2-0 in the back end of a pseudo doubleheader at TicketReturn.com FieldSaturday night. Emerson Landoni hit two home runs in the continuation game, separated by six weeks, while Ryan Hinson pitched six scoreless innings to lead the Hillcats to the game-two victory. It was the first win for the Hillcats in Myrtle Beach, SC this season.

The Hillcats (24-27, 60-60) trailed 3-2 when play resumed with runners at first and second. They brought Ryan Weber on to pitch and the first batter to come to the plate Saturday, Trever Adams, bounced a single into right field to plate a run. David Rohm cut down the trail runner trying to advance to third.

That run was charged to starter A.J. Holland (4-9) who took the loss despite not making an appearance Saturday night. Joe Maloney doubled home a run later in the third to make it 5-2 Pelicans (32-22, 72-51) through three innings.

The ‘Cats scored their first two runs before an out was recorded back in June. Matt Lipka walked and Emerson Landoni hit a two-run home run. After that the Pelicans pitching combo of Joe Van Meter and Will Lamb faced the mimimum through the next 17 Hillcats hitters until Landoni changed that with his second home run of the game. A solo shot that came six weeks after his first home run of the game.

The ‘Cats would get another run back in the seventh and final inning of game one. David Rohm singled home Trent Moses, getting the go ahead run to the plate with one out but could not score the equalizer.

Weber went the distance in the continuation while Will Lamb (5-0) pitched through the sixth before closer Ryan Harvey held on in the seventh for his seventh save of the year.

Game two the Hillcats wasted little time jumping out in front. Matt Lipka singled to lead off the game then later scored on an RBI single by Josh Elander. Lipka scored again in the third inning; after a one-out walk and his 30^th steal of the season Kyle Kubitza singled him home.

Hinson (3-2) went six scoreless innings for the win in game two. He did not allow a runner to reach third and allowed just three hits. Nick McBride (0-3) went the distance in a losing effort for the Pelicans. He allowed two runs on eight hits. John Cornely pitched a scoreless seventh to complete the shutout and pick up his seventh save of the season.

The Hillcats look to match their season high of four consecutive wins Sunday against the Pelicans at 7:05pm in Myrtle Beach, SC. Jose Lugo (0-0, -.–) makes his Hillcats debut against Alex Gonzalez (0-0, 6.43) for Myrtle Beach. Erik Wilson and Jake Levy have the broadcast starting with the Hillcats On-Deck Show, powered by Honda/Suzuki of Lynchburg, at6:40pm on 97.9 FM The Planet and lynchburg-hillcats.com