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July 27, 2010
Lynchburg-Hillcats.com
Lynchburg matched their season-high with nine runs in a 9-3 win over Frederick on Tuesday night at Harry Grove Stadium.
With the aid of a pair of errors, Lynchburg started early again with a run in the top of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead.
Frederick responded though with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first to take a 2-1 advantage. Billy Rowell and Buck Britton both singled in a run with two outs in the inning.
The Hillcats would tie the game in the third inning with an RBI groundout by Denis Phipps. An inning later they tacked on three more runs to take a 5-2 lead.
Kevin Coddington singled in run and Josh Fellhauer and Brodie Greene both hit sacrifice flies in the frame.
The Cats weren't done though, as they followed their three-run fourth inning with a four-run fifth inning to make it a 9-2 contest.
Frederick would plate a run in the bottom of the ninth inning to close out the scoring. Britton drove-in his second run of the ballgame with a sacrifice fly.
The win went to starter Chase Ware (1-2) for Lynchburg (14-17, 43-58) and the loss went to starter Ryan Berry (2-2) for Frederick (15-16, 56-45).
Ware picked up his first win at the Advanced-A level and his first win as a starter this season.
The Hillcats go for the series sweep on Wednesday night in a 7:00 p.m. start at Harry Grove Stadium.
Right-hander Lance Janke (3-8, 6.66) will get the call for the Cats opposite righty Oliver Drake (2-5, 4.62) for the Keys.
July 26, 2010
HokieSports.com
GREENSBORO, N.C. - Virginia Tech was the choice of the media assembled for the 2010 Atlantic Coast Conference Football Kickoff to win the ACC's Coastal Division and defeat Florida State for the 2010 ACC Football Championship in voting which was announced Monday at the Grandover Resort in Greensboro.
A record number of ballots were cast at the Kickoff with 98 media members voting.
Virginia Tech was chosen on 50 ballots to win its fourth ACC football title in just its seventh year in the league.
Florida State finished second with 26 votes, followed by Miami (10), Georgia Tech (8), Boston College (2) and North Carolina (2).
The Hokies were tabbed to win the ACC's Coastal Division with 532 points and 62 first-place votes outdistancing Miami (444 points, 20 first-place votes), Georgia Tech (408), North Carolina (379), Duke (169) and Virginia (126).
Florida State compiled 565 points and 78 first-place votes to claim the Atlantic Division title over Clemson (479), Boston College (389), NC State (283), Wake Forest (203) and Maryland (139).
Virginia Tech was previously chosen as the preseason ACC gridiron favorite in 2007 and 2009. The Hokies captured the 2007 ACC title, but finished in the Coastal Division second to ACC champion Georgia Tech last year.
Florida State senior quarterback Christian Ponder, who led the ACC in total offense in 2009 (321.8) after nine games before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury, was a runaway selection as the ACC's Preseason Player of the Year.
Ponder garnered 45 votes to finish ahead of Virginia Tech tailback Ryan Williams (16) and quarterback Tyrod Taylor (11), NC State senior quarterback Russell Wilson (6) and North Carolina defensive end Robert Quinn (6). In all, 12 ACC players received votes for ACC Preseason Player of the Year, including Tech's Darren Evans.
July 26, 2010
Lynchburg-Hillcats.com
Lynchburg homered four times in a game for the first time this season en route to a 7-4 victory at Frederick. Neftali Soto smacked a three-run homer in the first and now leads the team with 15 homers and 54 RBI.
The Hillcats wasted no time jumping all over the Keys with a five-run first inning. The first five Cats that came to the plate all got hits and all scored. Neftali Soto started the scoring with a three-run home run.
It was his team-leading 15th of the season and it was his first three-run shot of the campaign. After a single by Denis Phipps, Chris Richburg followed with a two-run homer, his first as a Hillcat to make it a 5-0 game with still no outs recorded in the ballgame.
In the third inning the Green & Gold added to their lead with another long ball, this one a solo shot by Phipps, his fifth dinger in 12 games with the Hillcats.
That homer gave Phipps seven straight hits, which tied Pedro Powell for the most consecutive hits in Hillcats history.
The Keys plated their first run of the evening in the bottom of the frame with an RBI single by Kyle Hudson to make it 6-1.
With the bases loaded later in that inning with one out, Billy Rowell hit a sharply hit ground ball down the third base line that appeared to be headed into the left field corner. But Shane Carlson made a diving stop, got to his feet, stepped on third base and threw to first in time for the inning ending double play.
The next half inning Carlson started things off by hitting his first homer as a Cat to up the lead to 7-1.
Frederick got back within striking distance in the bottom of the seventh inning with three runs to pull within three at 7-4.
Bobby Stevens, Xavier Avery and Hudson had three straight doubles to plate a pair of runs and chase Hillcats starter James Avery from the contest. Ronnie Welty singled in another run in the inning to finish the scoring in the frame and on the night.
The win went to Avery (6-3) and the save was notched by Donnie Joseph (11) for Lynchburg (13-17, 42-58) and the loss went to starter Nathan Moreau (3-1) for Frederick (15-15, 56-44).
The Hillcats will look for their fourth straight win on Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. at Harry Grove Stadium.
Right-hander Chase Ware (0-2, 3.66) will get the call for the Cats opposite righty Ryan Berry (2-1, 2.67) scheduled to start for the Keys.
July 25, 2010
Lynchburg-Hillcats.com
Kevin Coddington had two extra base hits including his first triple of the season and the Lynchburg Hillcats took the finale 6-5 over the Salem Red Sox. Lynchburg and Salem split the four game series.
The Cats jumped on starter Michael Lee in the first inning. Josh Fellhauer was hit by a pitch and Cody Puckett doubled to left field. With runners at second and third, Neftali Soto struck out and Denis Phipps walked.
Then Kyle Day hit a two-run single to put Lynchburg in front 2-0. He extends his hitting streak to 11, tied for the longest by a Hillcat all season.
In the second, Coddington led off with a triple and scored on a wild pitch during Jose Gualdron's at-bat. It was Coddington's first triple of the season in Lynchburg.
Salem scored one in the third, and a Will Middlebrooks home run pulled the Sox within one. But Lynchburg scored one more in the fifth. Phipps drove in Fellhauer with a single. Fellhauer singled to lead off the frame.
In the sixth, Lynchburg scored again. Brodie Greene singled, stole second and scored on Coddington's double.
Salem struck for two in the top of the seventh to pull the Red Sox within one. Dan Butler walked then scored on Jon Hee's double.
That spelled the end of starter Jordan Hotchkiss. Reliever Dan Guerrero entered the game and surrendered a double to Ryan Dent that scored Hee. Salem was back within one once again, 5-4.
But the cats added some insurance in the seventh. Soto and Phipps led off with two singles. After a pitching change, Chris Richburg pinch hit and hit a sac fly that drove in Soto. Richburg notched his first RBI with the Hillcats.
After scoring one more in the eighth, the Red Sox put the tying run on first base. Dan Butler singled to lead off the inning and was pinch run for by Luis Segovia.
Hee then singled to put the tying run at second. After a Dent sacrifice bunt, Mitch Dening was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Peter Hissey flew out to left field, and Oscar Tejeda grounded out to the mound to end the game.
Jordan Hotchkiss threw a solid six and one-third innings. He gave up four runs and struck out two and gets the win, his seventh of the season. Justin Freeman earns his seventh save.
Lynchburg heads on the road for six games starting tomorrow night at Frederick for a 7 p.m. start.
James Avery (5-3, 3.05) starts for the Cats against Nathan Moreau (3-0, 1.89).
July 24, 2010
Lynchburg-Hillcats.com
Curtis Partch threw six scoreless innings and Neftali Soto homered to provide all the offense the Cats would need. Lynchburg shutout Salem 3-0 to take game three of the four game series.
The Hillcats struck first in the fourth against Sox starter Brock Huntzinger. Neftali Soto led off the frame with a home run to right-center field to put Lynchburg up 1-0. Denis Phipps followed with a double. He stole third during Brodie Greene's at-bat, and scored on Greene's single.
The Cats scored once again in the sixth. Soto led off with a double, and Phipps drove him in with a double as well. The two combined for six of Lynchburg's nine hits, two RBI, three runs scored and five doubles. Soto had the homer and two doubles. Phipps had three doubles.
Partch sparkled on the mound for Lynchburg. For the first time this season he didn't allow an earned run in a start. In six innings, he didn't allow a run. He gave up two hits, two walks and struck out six. He gets the win. Donnie Joseph worked a scoreless ninth to earn the save, his 10th in 11 opportunities with the Cats.
Lynchburg and Salem conclude their four-game series
Sunday night at 6:05.
Jordan Hotchkiss (5-3, 3.05) throws for the Hillcats against Michael Lee (7-3, 3.79) for the Red Sox.
July 23, 2010
Lynchburg-Hillcats.com
Kyle Day homered and extended his hitting streak to nine games, but Lynchburg fell to Salem 11-2.
Salem jumped on Hillcats starter Lance Janke in the second inning. Four of the first five hitters reached in the frame.
Will Middlebrooks reached with a single, advanced to second on an error and moved to third on a balk by Janke. He scored on Alex Hassan's sacrifice fly.
The next three hitters reached on hits. Dan Butler singled and Jason Place did the same. Butler scored on Drew Hedman's double. Janke then retired Ryan Dent, but then allowed two-run single to Mitch Dening to cap the scoring at four.
The Red Sox scored again in the third. Oscar Tejeda and Middlebrooks led off the inning with hits. Tejeda scored on Hassan's groundout. Butler doubled in Middlebrooks to make it 6-0 Sox.
The Hillcats got on the board in the fourth with two outs. Denis Phipps singled and moved to second when Brodie Greene was hit by a pitch. Day then singled home Phipps. Day extended his hitting streak to nine games.
Day provided the fireworks again for the Cats in the seventh. One pitch after hitting a fly ball with home run distance that went foul by a few feet, Day hammered his fifth long ball of the season. It was his first against a lefty pitcher in 2010. Southpaw Will Latimer was in for the Red Sox.
The Sox scored again in the eighth and ninth. Jason Place homered off reliever Nick Christiani. Alex Hassan added a two-run blast in the ninth inning. Hassan has driven in eight runs in the series, and the Hillcats have only scored three. Salem has outscored Lynchburg 16-3 in the series. Jason place smacked his second home run in as many innings to dead center later in the ninth to score two more for the Sox.
Janke struggled in four innings of work tonight for the Hillcats. He threw four innings and gave up six runs, all earned. He struck out four and gets the loss, his eighth of the season.
Lynchburg and Salem continue their series tomorrow night at 6:05 p.m. Curtis Partch (3-8, 5.80) starts opposite Brock Huntzinger (7-4, 3.33).
July 22, 2010
Lynchburg-Hillcats.com
Brodie Greene had two hits and Denis Phipps homered for the third straight night, but the Hillcats couldn't hold off the Red Sox.
Salem took the series opener 5-1. Lynchburg has lost nine of their last ten at City Stadium.
The Hillcats got on the board first off Stolmy Pimentel.
Phipps nailed his third home run of the homestand to put Lynchburg up 1-0. Phipps is 7-for-15 (.467) with three home runs and eight RBI in four games in the Hill City.
But the Red Sox got that run back and then some in the top of the third. Drew Hedman led off with a walk, stole second, advanced to third on a fly out from Ryan Dent and scored on Mitch Dening's single. Peter Hissey then singled. Hillcats starter Chase Ware then walked Oscar Tejeda to load the bases. Ware then retired Tim Federowicz, but Alex Hassan hit a grand slam out to left. The Sox put up five runs in the frame to take a 5-1 lead.
Chase Ware threw four and one-third innings in his third start of the season. He matched a season high with that effort but gave up five runs, all earned, on six hits. He gets the loss, his second on the season and second consecutive.
Andrew Bowman threw a scoreless two and one-third innings in relief, extending his streak to nine and two-thirds consecutive scoreless innings. Daniel Guerrero threw two scoreless innings and struck out four as the bullpen excelled again.
Pimentel gets the win after seven innings of one-run baseball. He struck out seven and allowed only one run and three hits.
Lynchburg and Salem continue their series tomorrow night at 7:05. Lance Janke (3-7, 6.28) starts opposite Miguel Gonzalez (3-2, 5.40) for the Red Sox.
Before the game, rising country star Sarah Darling will perform at City Stadium. She'll take the stage at 6:15 and play until just before the start of the ballgame.
In addition, Darling will throw out the ceremonial first pitch and sing the national anthem. Gates open at 6 p.m.
July 21, 2010
Lynchburg-Hillcats.com
The Lynchburg Hillcats came back from a three-run deficit early to take a 5-3 lead, but the Frederick Keys exploded for seven runs in the ninth to take a 10-7 win.
The Keys take the final City Stadium series of the season between the two teams.
Frederick scored in the first inning against starter James Avery. Xavier Avery doubled to start off the game, and later scored on the triple by Ronnie Welty. James Avery got out of a jam, though. After walking the next hitter Billy Rowell, he retired the following two hitters.
Avery needed to pitch through a jam again in the third. Xavier Avery and Kyle Hudson reached to lead off the frame. After Welty struck out, Rowell walked again to load the bases. Buck Britton singled home one run. Pedro Florimon hit a shallow fly ball to left fielder Josh Fellhauer. Hudson tagged from third and beat the throw home by Fellhauer to make it 3-0.
Hillcats Manager Pat Kelly argued the call on the play at home and was ejected by home plate umpire Tim Rosso.
Lynchburg started to chip away at the lead in the bottom of the third inning. Jose Gualdron reached on a single to lead off, and advanced to second on Efrain Contreras' sacrifice bunt. Gualdron advanced to third on Jordan Wideman's groundout and scored on Josh Fellhauer's single.
The Cats finished off the comeback in the fourth. Neftali Soto led off with a walk, then Denis Phipps hit a two-run blast to tie the ballgame. It was Phipps' second home run of the series (and in as many games), and third with Lynchburg.
With the game tied in the sixth, Kyle Day reached with a one out single. Brodie Greene hit a grounder to short that looked like a sure double play, but it went off the glove and through the legs of Florimon. The runners advanced to second and third. Contreras came up with two outs and singled home both runs to take the lead 5-3.
Donnie Joseph came in to close the game in the ninth for the Hillcats and walked the first three batters. He also had two wild pitches that scored Bobby Stevens and left the tying run in Avery at third base. With Keys at the corners (Hudson was the third walk) and nobody out, Ruben Medina relieved Joseph.
Medina faced Welty to start off, and he grounded a ball that Cody Puckett fielded and threw to second, but Greene missed the catch. Avery scored from third to tie the game. Billy Rowell was next up and lined a single to left that scored the go-ahead run. After a sacrifice bunt, Florimon cleared the bases with a three-run homer to put the Keys up 9-5.
Frederick scored one more run after Miguel Abreu reached on a single and scored on a wild pitch. When all was said and done in the frame, the Keys scored seven runs on four hits. Medina gets the blown save after all inherited runners scored with him on the mound, and Joseph gets the loss. The three runs that scored to put Frederick in front were all credited to him.
The Cats rallied for a couple runs in the bottom of the ninth. Fellhauer led off the inning with a double to the wall. Soto reached after getting hit by a pitch. Both runners scored on a double by Phipps to make it 10-7, but it wasn't enough. Greene grounded out to end the ballgame.
After struggling through the first few innings, James Avery settled down and threw six quality innings. He gave up three runs on five hits and struck out three. He gets no decision after the bullpen couldn't hold the lead.
Lynchburg opens up a four-game weekend series with 460-rival Salem tomorrow night at 7:05. Chase Ware (0-1, 1.76) makes his first home start against Stolmy Pimentel (5-7, 4.45) for the Red Sox.
City Stadium features "Thursday Cheers" drink specials throughout the evening presented by Yuengling and Miller Lite. Gates open at 6 p.m.
July 20, 2010
Lynchburg-Hillcats.com
Neftali Soto hit a game-winning solo home run to lead off the eighth inning and give the Hillcats the 7-4 victory over the Keys.
The win snaps Lynchburg's seven-game home losing streak and gives the Cats an opportunity to win their second home series of the half.
Lynchburg jumped on Frederick and starter Ryan O'Shea early in the ballgame. Denis Phipps nailed a two-out, two-run triple to score Soto and Chris Richburg to make it 2-0Hillcats. Phipps then scored in Brodie Greene's double to make it a three-spot in the first inning for Lynchburg.
The Cats added one more after a home run by Phipps in the third inning off O'Shea. It was Phipps' second home run with Lynchburg, and first at City Stadium.
Jordan Hotchkiss was pulled after five shutout innings. And Frederick capitalized on the Hillcats bullpen.
Billy Rowell led off the sixth with a single. L.J. Hoes then hit a groundball to second that Cody Puckett fielded and threw to second base, but Greene missed the catch and both runners advanced to second and third.
Reliever Nick Christiani retired the next two batters, but Miguel Abreu hit a two-run single, and later scored on a single by Xavier Avery. That made it a 4-3 ballgame.
Against new Hillcat Ruben Medina, the Keys were able to tie it up. Rowell singled with one out and later scored on a ground out by Buck Britton.
With the game tied in the bottom of the eighth, Soto led off the frame with a home run off the scoreboard beyond the left field wall. The home run was Soto's second in as many games, his team-leading 13th this season and 10th at City Stadium.
But the Cats weren't done. Richburg singled right after Soto to notch his second hit as a Hillcat. His first was a double in the sixth. Phipps then doubled to put runners at second and third. Greene hit a sac fly to score Richburg, and Phipps scored on Kyle Day's single.
Donnie Joseph came on for the save and allowed the tying run to bat, but struck out the last two hitters he faced to get the save.
Hotchkiss didn't allow a run in his five innings, but doesn't get credit for the win. Medina gets a blown save and a win in his first appearance with Lynchburg. Joseph notched his ninth save of the season with the Hillcats.
Lynchburg and Frederick conclude their three-game series with the rubber game tomorrow night at 7:05.
Lynchburg will start James Avery (5-3, 2.89) opposite Ryan Berry (2-1, 2.39) for the Keys. Gates open at 6 p.m.
July 19, 2010
Lynchburg-Hillcats.com
Brodie Greene had two hits, scored twice and reached base each time up, but it wasn't enough to lift the Hillcats in the opener.
Lynchburg falls to Frederick 6-3. The Hillcats have now lost seven straight at City Stadium.
The Keys got on the board in the first inning after a two-out double steal. Kyle Hudson scored from third after Jacob Julius took off from first.
Lynchburg got that run right back after a home run by Neftali Soto.
In the second, the Cats took the lead. Brodie Greene led off the inning with a double then reached third on an error by Billy Rowell at third base. During Jose Gualdron's at-bat, Greene scored on a wild pitch.
Then the Keys took over. The first four hitters in the third inning reached, three on hits and two scored. Brian Ward scored the first run after walking to lead off the frame. He scored on Ronnie Welty single. Xavier Avery singled as well, and scored on L.J. Hoes' groundout.
In the fourth, the Keys struck again. Pedro Florimon led off with a double. Starter Curtis Partch then struck out the next two batters he faced before allowing a two-run home run to Avery. Hudson hit an infield single and scored on Welty's triple.
The Hillcats got one back in the bottom of the fourth. Josh Fellhauer hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Greene for Lynchburg's third run of the ballgame.
Curtis Partch struggled out of the starter's role. He gave up six earned runs in three and two-thirds innings and struck out six. It was his fourth straight start allowing six or more earned runs. However the bullpen looked great again. The reliever set down all 16 hitters.
Lynchburg and Frederick continue their three-game series tomorrow night at 7:05. The Hillcats start Jordan Hotchkiss (6-3, 2.35) opposite Ryan O'Shea (5-5, 3.83).
July 17, 2010
Lynchburg-Hillcats.com
Myrtle Beach salvaged a split in the four-game series against Lynchburg with a 5-2 victory in the series finale at BB&T Ballpark.
The Hillcats still ended their seven-game road swing with a 4-3 mark.
After failing to plate a run on Friday night, Myrtle Beach scored a run two batters into their offensive evening.
Mycal Jones singled to start the bottom of the first inning, then stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on an RBI ground out by Cory Harrilchak to make it a 1-0 game.
Lynchburg would take the lead in the top of the third inning with a pair of runs of their own. Brodie Greene and Carlos Mendez both came through with two-out RBI doubles to put the Hillcats up 2-1.
Right back came the Pelicans though with a two-run bottom of the inning to retake the advantage at 3-2. Mycal Jones singled in a run and then after stealing his second and third swipe of the night, scored on the sacrifice fly by Michael Jones.
In the bottom of the fifth inning the Pelicans added to their advantage with another run. Mike Jones drove-in his second run of the night to make it a 4-2 contest.
The Birds added to their lead in the seventh inning with an insurance run. Jordan Kreke came through with a two-out RBI triple.
The loss went to starter Lance Janke (3-7) for Lynchburg (9-13, 38-54) and the win went to starter Brett Oberholtzer (3-3) and the save to Luis Avilan (6) for Myrtle Beach (10-13, 35-58).
The Cats split the four-game series with the Birds and went 4-3 on their seven-game road swing.
After an off-day on Sunday the Hillcats begin a seven-game homestand on Monday night at 7:05 p.m. against the Frederick Keys.
Right-hander Curtis Partch (3-7, 5.38) will toe the rubber for the Cats opposite right-hander Luis Noel (1-0, 0.00) for the Keys.
July 16, 2010
Lynchburg-Hillcats.com
James Avery dealt eight scoreless innings and the Hillcats homered twice and plated four runs off of Pelicans ace Julio Teheran in a 4-0 win at Myrtle Beach.
Lynchburg has now taken two out of the first three in the series and looks to win the set on Saturday night in the finale at 7:05 p.m. at BB&T Coastal Field.
Lynchburg struck first on Friday night with a pair of runs in the top of the second inning.
Jose Gualdron hit his first home run of the season to put the Green & Gold in front. In the fifth inning the Hillcats added on a run to their lead with a solo home run by Efrain Contreras to make it a 4-0 game.
The Pelicans starter Julio Teheran, rated as the top pitching prospect in the Atlanta Braves system, has given up six home runs in nine start with the Pelicans and five of those long balls have been by the Hillcats.
In the seventh inning Lynchburg added an insurance run to up their advantage to four. After a two-out double by Jordan Wideman, Cody Puckett singled him home to make it a 4-0 game. Wideman had a pair of doubles on the night.
That lead held up thanks to starter James Avery, who to pitched a season-high eight innings of action and did not allow a run. It was the longest start by a Hillcats starter this season.
The win went to Avery (5-3) for Lynchburg (9-12, 38-53) and the loss went to Teheran (3-4) for Myrtle Beach (9-13, 35-57). The Hillcats look to take three out of four in the series in the finale on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. at BB&T Coastal Field.
Right-hander Lance Janke (3-6, 6.21) will toe the rubber for the Cats opposite lefty Brett Oberholtzer (2-3, 4.15) for the Birds.
July 15, 2010
Lynchburg-Hillcats.com
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans evened up the four-game set against the Lynchburg Hillcats with a 6-0 shutout win over the Cats on Thursday night.
Myrtle Beach got on the board in the bottom of the third inning with a three-run frame. L.V. Ware started the scoring with an RBI single.
Cole Miles brought in run number two with a sacrifice fly and Mycal Jones smacked an RBI double to finish the scoring in the frame. In the fourth inning the Pelicans tacked on to their lead with a fourth run. Miles brought in that run with a ground out.
The Birds continued to build on to their advantage in the sixth inning with two more runs. Miles singled in another run to give him three RBI on the night and Mycal Jones brought in a run with a base hit as well to make it a 6-0 game.
The loss went to starter Chase Ware (0-1) for Lynchburg (9-12, 37-53) and the win went to starter Matt Crim (5-9) for Myrtle Beach (9-12, 35-56).
With the series even at a game a piece, the set continues on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. at BB&T Coastal Field.
Right-hander James Avery (4-3, 3.40) is scheduled to start for the Cats opposite righty Julio Teheran (3-3, 2.92) for the Birds.
July 14, 2010
Lynchburg-Hillcats.com
Behind seven shutout innings from Jordan Hotchkiss, the Lynchburg Hillcats earned a 5-3 win over the Myrtle Beach Pelicans on Wednesday night in the series opener of the four-game set.
Lynchburg got on the board first with a pair of unearned runs in the top of the third inning. Cody Puckett hit an infield single to score Keven Coddington, who reached on an error, to start the scoring. Carlos Mendez followed with a bloop single down the right field line that scored Puckett all the way from first base on the play and the Hillcats had a 2-0 lead.
An inning later in the fourth the Cats added to their lead with another run. Kyle Day lasered a line drive up the middle with the infield in to score Dennis Phipps and push their advantage to three.
In the fifth Lynchburg made it three straight frames with at least a run by scoring two more to make it a 5-0 lead. Phipps, who was making his Hillcats debut, hit a two-run moon shot out to the short porch in left.
The Pelicans finally got on the board in the bottom of the eighth inning with a pair of runs. Dan Nelson brought in the first run with a sacrifice fly and Jordan Kreke singled in the second run in the frame. Donnie Joseph though entered the game during the inning and got out of the jam with the Hillcats still in front.
The win went to Hotchkiss (6-3) and the save to Jospeh (8) for Lynchburg (8-11, 37-52). The loss went to starter Zeke Spruill (0-2) for Myrtle Beach (8-12, 34-56).
The four-game series continues on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. at BB&T Coastal Field.
Right-hander Chase Ware (0-0, 0.00) will get the call for the Cats opposite lefty Matt Crim (4-9, 5.03) for the Pelicans.











