Five-Run Sixth Leads Hillcats Past Wood Ducks

Kinston, N.C. - The Down East Wood Ducks fell to the Lynchburg Hillcats, Tuesday, as the Hillcats batted around in the sixth inning, scoring five times, on their way to a 6-1 win.

The Wood Ducks (13-6) fall for just the second time in their last ten games, and are held to their lowest run output since they were shutout by the Hillcats (11-8), 5-0, on April 12.
The Woodies struck first in the ballgame when Tyreque Reed blasted a solo home run to center field in the second inning. It was his second home run of the season, with both coming in the last four days.
It was the only run Lynchburg starter Eli Morgan (win, 3-0) would allow. The righty worked six innings giving up a run on four hits, struck out six, and didn't walk a batter.
The Hillcats tied the game in the fifth inning, when Jodd Carter answered with a solo home run, to even the score at 1-1.
Lynchburg would then take the lead in the sixth. They rattled off three hits and scored a run to force Wood Ducks starter Tyler Phillips (loss, 1-1) from the game. Alex Eubanks would come on and walk two, to load the bases, and force in a run, and then Luke Wakamatsu tripled to center to clear the bases, and push the Hillcats lead to 6-1.
Phillips suffered his first loss of the season, and gave up his first run of the year in the process. He worked 5.2 innings, allowing four runs on eight hits, and struck out two.
At the plate, the Woodies never had more than one runner on base at the same frame. Michael Matuella and Francisco Villegas worked a scoreless eighth and ninth respectively, as the final ten Hillcats that came to bat were retired.
The teams return to play Wednesday for the middle game of the three game set. Lefty Jake Latz (0-0, 0.00) will make his second start of the season for the Woodies, opposed by fellow left-hander Juan Hillman (1-2, 1.59) for Lynchburg. First pitch I set for 7:00 p.m. The broadcast will begin at 6:50 p.m. on 960AM The Bull, and online at 960thebull.com, as well as on the MiLB First Pitch and TuneIn Radio Apps. For tickets and more information visit woodducksbaseball.com or call (252) 686-5172.