Lynchburg Hillcats starter Zach Plesac was sensational on Sunday, as the right-hander allowed just two baserunners in a 4-0 complete game shutout over the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.
The Hillcats (14-15) picked up their third shutout win of the season in the series finale against the Pelicans (12-18).
Plesac (Win, 2-2) allowed just two baserunners on two hits, and struck out three in a career-best performance. He threw just 74 pitches, 55 for strikes, in what was the first complete game shutout of his professional career.
The Crown Point, Ind. native retired the first 12 hitters he faced before Wladimir Galindo singled to lead off the fifth inning. The gem was the first complete game performance in the Carolina League this season.
The Hillcats opened the scoring in the third inning. Logan Ice singled to lead off the frame and Dillon Persinger was hit by a pitch. Erlin Cerda laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance both runners, and Mitch Longo plated Ice on a sacrifice fly to make it 1-0 Lynchburg.
In the sixth inning, the Hillcats scored three more runs to extend their lead. Lynchburg loaded the bases when Cerda singled, Longo was hit by a pitch and Alexis Pantoja reached on a bunt single. After Conner Capel lined out to shallow right field, Li-Jen Chu drew a bases-loaded walk to score Cerda, stretching the lead to 2-0. Emmanuel Tapia followed with a fielder’s choice RBI to plate Longo and then Pelicans starter Jose Paulino (0-4) balked in a run to score Pantoja, making it a 4-0 Lynchburg to cap the scoring.
Paulino surrendered four earned runs on three hits, and struck out six in six innings of work. Ryan Kellogg pitched two scoreless innings in relief for Myrtle Beach.
After a brief three-game homestand, the Hillcats hit the road for a seven-game swing, beginning on Monday against the Frederick Keys. Left-hander Tanner Tully (1-2, 4.23) will start for the Hillcats opposite of right-hander Cristian Alvarado (3-2, 4.18) for the Keys. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Nymeo Field in Frederick, Md.
Max Gun and Matt Present will be on the air at 6:50 p.m. with the Hillcats pre-game show on TuneIn Radio and the Radio434 App.
For tickets or more information, visit lynchburg-hillcats.com, call 434-528-1144. or stop by the City Stadium box office.
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Chris Graham
