Another One! Hillcats Roll to Fifth Straight Win

Lynchburg, Virginia – The Lynchburg Hillcats (5-0) made it five in a row and pushed their run total to 57 on the short season with a 7-1 victory over the Fredericksburg Nationals (0-5).

HOW IT HAPPENED

• With Nationals’ starter Rodney Theophile on the mound, Korey Holland slapped a leadoff single in the bottom of the first. The Lynchburg centerfielder stole second with the next batter at the plate and went for third on the batter following. While charging to third Fredericksburg catcher Geraldi Diaz attempted to throw Holland out, but the throw sailed into left field allowing Holland to race home and give the Hillcats a 1-0 lead.
• The Nationals responded in the next frame, taking advantage of some early miscues from ‘Cats pitcher Sergio Morillo. The Lynchburg hurler hit two batters with a pitch and walked another to load the bases. Then a third pitch clipped Briaian Fernandez to score Geraldi Diaz. Morrillo got out of the jam by striking out Jeremy Ydens to end the inning with the score now even at one.
• After being tied for three innings, the Hillcats finally took the lead in the bottom of the sixth. Jhonkensy Noel reached second on a throwing error of a routine grounder. A line drive from Yordys Valdes, scored the run putting the Hillcats up 2-1 through six.
• With Nationals reliever Leif Strom (0-1) on the mound, Lynchburg added some cushion in the bottom of the sixth. Valdes slapped his second single in a row with a line drive to left, jogging home when Will Bartlett ripped a triple in the second three-bagger of the Hillcats season. Yanier Diaz singled to help Bartlett cross home plate and the Hillcats lead stretched to three heading into the game’s final two innings.
• The ‘Cats pounced again in the bottom of the eighth, once again thanks to Valdes setting the tone. The shortstop laced a base-hit to left, moving along when Holland drew a walk. Jhonkensy Noel dug in and crushed a three-run bomb for his second home run in as many nights, putting the Hillcats up 7-1 for good.
• The Hillcats got top notch pitching performances from everyone that stepped on the mound. After the rocky second inning Morillo locked in, not allowing a single hit in his four innings of work and fanning five total batters.
• Jaime Arias (2-0) earned his second win of the season allowing just two hits in three innings and Derizon Feliz blanked the Nationals, striking out four to finish out the win for the Hillcats.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Korey Holland stole four bases on the evening and the Hillcats swiped six as a team.
• Jhonkensy Noel now has 11 RBIs, the most of any Indians prospect. He is tied with former Hillcat Oscar Gonzalez for the most home runs (3).

WHO'S NEXT

The Hillcats look to complete the sweep of the Nationals Sunday at 3pm from Bank of the James Stadium.