Frustrating Calls, Home Runs Down Hillcats against Pelicans

The Lynchburg Hillcats split the series with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans in frustrating fashion, losing 6-5.

Jordan Smith was ejected immediately following the game after confronting the home plate umpire after a series of questionable calls. Smith was heated after a called strike three to Maick Collado ended the game.

Lynchburg struck early and often as they scored two in each of the first two innings. However, they struggled to get the bats going, as most of the damage was due to stolen bases, walks, and wild pitches. Nate Furman and Guy Lipscomb both worked themselves around the bases before scoring.

In the second, Juan Benjamin drove home two runners on a two-RBI single to right field to extend the lead to four. In the third, the Hillcats would tack on one more on a sacrifice fly from Furman that scored Filia.

The inning would end controversially as Jose Devers was called for interference on the third baseman as they nearly collided on a ground ball. That moment served as a turning point in the ballgame.

Myrtle Beach would score in the fifth on a balk from Braunny Munoz. When Wardquelin Vasquez entered in relief, he was jumped on his first pitch for a two-run home run to Christian Franklin.

In the top of the eighth, Miguel Vinicio would give up a two-run home run of his own to Andy Garriola that tied the ballgame. He would exit but would be responsible for the run that scored later in the inning on a sacrifice fly to take the lead.

Lynchburg would threaten in the eighth but be robbed of extra bases on an excellent running grab from Christian Franklin in center field.

The Hillcats would drop back under .500 at 4-5. Myrtle Beach improves to .500 at 4-4.

Lynchburg will travel to Salem to take on the Red Sox starting on Monday. The Hillcats will return home on April 25th for a six-game series against the Fredericksburg Nationals.