The Lynchburg Hillcats came from behind on Wednesday afternoon, scoring three unanswered runs to beat the Down East Wood Ducks, 3-1.
The Hillcats (47-53, 18-15) were picked up by Zach Plesac (Win, 7-4) who struck out a career-high 10 Down East (46-58, 11-23) hitters over seven innings.
Tied 1-1 in the fourth inning, Trenton Brooks was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame. With two out, Jodd Carter belted a two-run home run, his team-leading tenth of the season, to put Lynchburg ahead for good at 3-1.
Down East scored the first run of the game in the first inning. Chuck LeBlanc doubled with one out, and scored on an RBI single from Anderson Tejada for a 1-0 lead.
Lynchburg tied the game at 1-1 in the third. Ernie Clement singled with one out, and moved to second base on a balk with Mitch Longo at the plate. Later in the at-bat, Longo hit a slow roller to second base that LeBlanc barehanded cleanly, but he threw the ball wide of first base for an error, allowing Clement to score.
Plesac fired seven innings and allowed one run on six hits. He did not issue a walk en route to his double-digit strikeout day. Jared Robinson picked up two quick outs in the eighth inning, before an infield hit and a walk chased him from the game. James Karinchak (Save, 12) came on and walked the first hitter he faced to load the bases, but came away unscathed after striking out Andretty Cordero. Karinchak then pitched a scoreless ninth inning to nail down the win.
Joe Palumbo (Loss, 0-3) started for the Woodies, and gave up three runs (two earned) on five hits over five innings. Royce Bolinger and Jacob Lemoine combined for four scoreless innings of relief.
The game got underway after a delay of 40 minutes due to rain.
The series concludes on Thursday with the rubber match of the three-game set. Lynchburg will turn to left-hander Sam Hentges (5-6, 3.49) who will make his 20th start of the year, while the Wood Ducks will send right-hander Emerson Martinez (4-10, 4.33) to the hill. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Max Gun will be on the air beginning at 6:50 p.m. on TuneIn Radio and Radio434.
For tickets and more information visit lynchburg-hillcats.com, the City Stadium box office, or call 434-528-1144.
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Chris Graham
