Lynchburg Sweeps Salem in Doubleheader
SUMMARY
Lynchburg came from behind to defeat the Salem Red Sox 6-5 in 10 innings in the first game of a doubleheader. Mark Mathias hit a single through the left side of the infield to drive in David Armendariz and deliver the 'Cats their first walk off win of the season. Mathias went 3-5 with a double and three RBIs. Cameron Hill earned the win after pitching a scorless 10th frame for Lynchburg.
In game two Nick Pasquale started his first game of the season for the 'Cats. Pasquale only allowed one run in his four innings limiting the damage against Salem. The offense scratched across four runs on four hits in the second contest of the doubleheader to win the contest 4-3.
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER
The 'Cats were down 4-0 in game one and only had two hits going into the final frame of a scheduled seven-inning game. Mike Papi lead the inning off with a single and was doubled home by Daniel Salters. Mark Mathias followed the two-bagger with his 11th double of the season to bring in Salters and bring the score to 4-2. Anthony Santander doubled three batters later to tie the score and send the game to extras.
Nick Longhi lead the eighth inning off with a single and later scored on a ground ball up the middle by Jordan Procyshen. With two outs in the bottom half of the inning David Armendariz reached base via a hit by pitch. Mark Mathias scorched a line drive to center field to bring in Armendariz and tie the game at five. Armendariz singled on a bunt in the bottom of the 10th. One batter later Mathias hit a ground ball to left field to bring in Armendariz to deliver Lynchburg's first victory over Salem in 2016. It marked the first walk-off of Mathias' career. Greg Allen went 2-4 with a run, and David Armendariz went 2-4 with two runs scored.
WHY WAIT AROUND?
The Hillcats scored a run in the first inning of game two after Greg Allen lead the game off with a single to right field and eventually came around to score on a wild pitch. Lynchburg added two more runs in the fourth inning to extend their lead to 3-0. Bobby Bradley, who doubled, and Mike Papi, who reached base on a walk both scored on a two-out single by Juan De La Cruz.
BULLPEN SUPPRESSES SOX
Lynchburg's bullpen pitched nine frames in game one while only allowing two runs against the top hitting team in the Carolina League with a batting average of .279. David Speer was first out of the bullpen, pitching three innings and only allowing two hits. Speer lowered his season ERA to 0.44 on the season. Jordan Milbrath also went three innings but allowed one run. Cameron Hill closed out the game for the 'Cats to earn his second win of the season.
Once again in game two the bullpen earned the win for the Hillcats. Justin Garcia was called on and proceeded to throw 1 2/3 innings while striking out two and only allowing one hit to earn his first win of the season. Cole Sulser finished the final four outs for the' Cats and earned his third save of the year.
SHORT HOPS
The Hillcats handed the Red Sox their first two losses of the season in one-run contests… They were previously 12-0 in such games… The 'Cats improved to 5-5 in one-run games…Salem was also 17-1 when scoring the game's first run, which they did in game one… Lynchburg earned their first doubleheader sweep of the season… They split their only previous doubleheader against Carolina May 7… The two wins pulled them into a tie with Salem at the top of the Carolina League at 27-12.
ON DECK
Lynchburg finishes the short homestand against the Salem Red Sox Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Fans can listen to Hillcats baseball on 93.3 FM and 1320 AM as well as www.lynchburg-hillcats.com beginning with the Hillcats On-Deck Show at 6:15 p.m.