Shorebirds Steal Thriller in Lynchburg

The Lynchburg Hillcats dropped a back-and-forth game to the Delmarva Shorebirds by a score of 7-6 on Saturday night.

The loss gives Delmarva the chance to win their first series of the season. For Lynchburg, they are on the verge of dropping their first home series.

Lynchburg was boosted by two three-run innings, the first of which coming in the bottom of the first. Angel Genao would drive home a run as part of a three-hit game for him. Then, Wuilfredo Antunez would bring two home after an errant throw from the right fielder ended up in the seats.

Delmarva would chip away at the lead in the second before taking the lead in the third inning after back-to-back two-run frames. Then in the fourth, Thomas Sosa would deliver a solo shot to right to make it a 5-3 ballgame. For Sosa, he would finish a triple shy of the cycle.

The Shorebirds would tack on one more in the seventh to double the Hillcats run total.

In the seventh, another crazy inning would unfold as a run would score on a double play from Antunez. Robert Lopez would hit a single off the side of the mound that was difficult to play for the Shorebirds defense. Jose Pastrano would tie the game on a flair shot to center that hit the grass between three fielders.

The tie game would not last long as Alfredo Velazquez would drive home Noelberth Romero in the top of the eighth inning to retake the lead. From there, the Shorebirds would rely on their closer to slam the door shut on any Hillcat hopes.

Delmarva and Lynchburg will wrap up the series on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Bank of the James Stadium. For Lynchburg, Matt Wilkinson will be on the bump. Tickets are available at Lynchburg-hillcats.com.