The Pelicans finally gave some run support to Wilmer Font, who was dominate in his five innings of work. Font tied a career-high with eight strike outs. It would be his bullpen that continued the trend by striking out four ‘Cats of their own in the 3-0 win. Brett Nicholas had a hand in all three runs for the Pelicans offense.
The Pelicans and Hillcats each sent two prospects to the mound for battle on the most beautiful day for baseball in Lynchburg this season. The 19th-best prospect in the Braves organization, Cody Martin, and a former top 30 prospect and current 40 man roster member, Wilmer Font, were set to take each other on.
It would be the Pelicans that struck first for the third time in three games. It started in the top of the second with Brett Nicholas singling off his former college roommate. Then, Tomas Telis hit a grounder to Edward Salcedo at third, who booted it, then didn’t cover third after making the error and Nicholas took third. One batter later, Cafe Martinez would hit into a fielder’s choice that scored Nicholas to give the Pelicans a 1-0 lead.
Myrtle Beach wasted no time adding to their lead. It was the top of the third that saw them extend the lead to 3-0. Back-to-back hits by Christian Villanueva and Nicholas scored a run thanks to the Nicholas double. An infield hit by Telis moved Nicholas to third for Martinez, who hit a sacrifice fly to center field to give the Pelicans the three-run cushion.
From their, Font and Joe Van Meter dominated the Hillcats offense through seven innings. Font tied a career-high with eight whiffs in his five innings. Van Meter would retire six of seven with three “K”s of his own.
Lynchburg’s offense caught a couple breaks to start the top of eighth inning with new pitcher, Ben Rowen, on the mound. Mycal Jones and Nick Ahmed each started with infield singles. Tommy La Stella hit a deep fly ball to center that allowed Jones and Ahmed to tag. However, Adam Milligan struck out for the third time on the day and Salcedo hit a routine ground ball to end the inning with nothing to show for it.
Font (2-4) got the win for his five innings of work. He tied a career-high for strikeouts in a game with eight, while scattering four hits. Font also walked two. Martin fell to 7-6 on the season. He went five innings, allowed seven hits that lead to three runs–two earned–walked one and struck out two. Rowan earned his second save in as many chances.
The finale will be tomorrow at 7:05pm. The stadium gates will open at 6:00pm. Chris Masters (0-2, 6.19) will get an opportunity to earn his first win as a Hillcat in 2012. All-star Kyle Hendricks (2-7, 2.68) will take the hill for Myrtle Beach. If you can’t make it to the field, tune in and listen live to all the action on 105.5 FM KD Country and online at lynchburg-hillcats.com starting with the Hillcats On-Deck Show powered by Honda/Suzuki of Lynchburg. Erik Wilson and Mike Viso will get started with you at 6:40pm before the action beings.
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Chris Graham
