Mishael Deson’s Four RBI Day Powers ‘Birds to 10-7 Win Over Hillcats

LYNCHBURG, VA. – The Delmarva Shorebirds rallied from an early two-run deficit to outslug the Lynchburg Hillcats, 10-7, on Friday night at Bank of the James Stadium.

The win secures at least a series split for the Shorebirds (32-61, 11-17) who have taken three of four this week off the Hillcats (46-48, 11-17).

Luis Valdez led off the game for the ‘Birds by legging out a double before Trendon Craig singled him home to start the scoring.

Lynchburg answered in the bottom of the first. Junior Sanquintin tripled with two out and Isaiah Greene then walked. The duo then pulled off a double steal with Sanquintin taking home to tie the game at 1-1.

Joe Donovan pushed the Hillcats ahead with a two-out, two-run double in the bottom of the second.

Delmarva answered immediately in the top of the third. Michael Mantecon legged out an infield single to start the frame and moved to second on a groundout. Craig then singled Mantecon home to make it 3-2. After Isaac De Leon walked, a wild pitch advanced both runners with Mishael Deson then driving in Craig with a sacrifice fly to tie the game.

Lynchburg grabbed the lead right back in the last of the third on a Richard Paz RBI single after Greene tripled to start the inning.

Valdez began the fifth with a single and then stole second, going to third on a throwing error on the play. Craig then walked and stole second himself. After a strikeout, Deson then singled them both home. Frederick Bencosme followed with a two-run blast, his second homer of the season, to make it 7-4.

Delmarva tacked on another run in the seventh on an Elio Prado RBI single before scoring twice in the eighth thanks to four walks, two wild pitches, a passed ball, and a stolen base.

Lynchburg made things very interesting in the bottom of the eighth. The Hillcats loaded the bases to start the inning before a balk forced in a run. After a flyout and another walk reloaded the bases, Paz singled home two to make it 10-7. With the tying run at the plate, Alejandro Mendez came on in relief, inducing a flyout and a strikeout to escape the jam and pitch the Shorebirds to a 10-7 win.

Moises Chace (1-3) earned the win for the Shorebirds in relief. Chace went 2.2 frames, allowing a run on three hits and four walks, striking out three.

Brauny Munoz (2-2) suffered the loss for the Hillcats, lasting 4.1 innings while allowing seven runs on nine hits and three walks, striking out four.

Mendez picked up his first save of the year for the Shorebirds, firing 1.2 frames of no-hit ball, allowing just a walk, striking out two.

Deson drove in a season high four runs for the ‘Birds in the win. Valdez swiped two more bases to bring his total to 52, giving him sole possession of second place all-time in the ‘Birds single-season record book. Craig reached base five times, going 3-for-3 with two RBIs plus two walks, scoring two times and stealing a base.

Shorebirds continue their six-game road series with the Hillcats on Saturday, July 30 at Bank of the James Stadium. Darlin Alcantara (0-1, 6.59) is slated to go for the Shorebirds while Lynchburg hands the ball to Ryan Webb (0-0, 2.92). First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m with pregame coverage beginning at 6:15 p.m. on theshorebirds.com with Sam Jellinek on the call.

ABOUT THE DELMARVA SHOREBIRDS

The Delmarva Shorebirds were founded in 1996 and have been the Class-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles since 1997. The Shorebirds have won two South Atlantic League championships in 1997 and 2000 and were named the MiLB.com Minor League Team of the Year in 2019 after going 90-48 in the regular season. Based in Salisbury, Maryland, the Shorebirds are proud to represent the entire Delmarva Peninsula and have hosted two SAL All-Star Games in 1999 and 2011. The Shorebirds are owned by 7th Inning Stretch, LP, based in Stockton, California headed by Chairman Tom Volpe and President Pat Filippone.