Woodbridge, Va. - In their first extra-innings game of the season, the Lynchburg Hillcats dropped the series opener, 5-4, against the Potomac Nationals on Thursday.
Woodbridge, Va. - In their first extra-innings game of the season, the Lynchburg Hillcats dropped the series opener, 5-4, against the Potomac Nationals on Thursday.
With the new extra-inning rule in effect, Luke Wakamatsu started at second base for Lynchburg (7-7) in a 3-3 game to start the tenth inning. After advancing to third base on a fly ball, Wakamatsu scored on a sac fly by Li-Jen Chu to give the Hillcats a 4-3 lead over Potomac (9-6).
Blake Perkins began the bottom of the tenth at second base for the Nats. Carter Kieboom led off the inning and worked a walk against Luis Jimenez (Loss, 0-2). The next hitter, Austin Davidson, ripped a single to center field to plate Perkins and tie the score at 4-4. Jake Noll followed by knocking another single to center, scoring Keiboom to give Potomac the walk-off win.
Lynchburg stuck first with a run in the first inning. Conner Capel singled and advanced to second on another single by Chu. Emmanuel Tapia then connected on a line drive base hit to left field, scoring Capel for a 1-0 lead.
The Hillcats extended their lead to 2-0 in the second inning when Mitch Longo hit an RBI groudout.
In the home half of the second, Noll led off the inning with a triple. A batter later, Tres Barrera connected with an RBI double to trim the deficit to 2-1.
In the sixth, Chu blasted a solo home run to center field, his first of the season, to stretch Lynchburg's lead to 3-1.
The Nationals pulled to within a run in the eighth. Noll, who led off with a single and later advanced to second base, stole third and Chu's throw sailed into left field to allow him to score.
Potomac took advantage of back-to-back Hillcats errors in the ninth to tie the game. Wakamatsu committed a throwing error and Dillon Persinger misplayed a ground ball to put runners at first and second. With two outs, Berrera delivered an RBI single.
Tanner Tully started for the Hillcats and logged six strong innings. The left-hander allowed two earned runs on six hits and struck out five. He did not issue a walk.
Wil Crowe started for the Nationals and allowed three earned runs on six hits in six innings. James Bourque (Win, 1-1) pitched two scoreless innings in relief and allowed one unearned run.
Lynchburg will continue their series against Potomac on Friday. right-hander Justin Garza (1-0, 0.00) will start for the Hillcats and left-hander Matthew Crownover (1-0, 3.12) will get the nod for the Nationals. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Pfitzner Stadium.
Max Gun and Matt Present will be on the air with pre-game coverage starting at 6:55 p.m. on TuneIn Radio and the Radio434 app.
For tickets or more information, visit lynchburg-hillcats.com, call 434-528-1144. or stop by the City Stadium box office.
