Hillcats Drop Heartbreaker to FredNats

Fredericksburg, Virginia – The Lynchburg Hillcats (18-17) rallied to push the game into the bottom of the ninth, but a walk-off single from Junior Martina gave the Fredericksburg Nationals (12-25) their first win over the Hillcats this season.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• In the top of the second Will Bartlett roped a leadoff single to center field off Nationals’ starter Michael Cuevas. Hosea Nelson followed by drawing a free pass, but was eliminated from the basepaths when Cody Farhat hit into a double play. However, the twin killing did move Bartlett to third. After Alexfri Planez was hit by a pitch, Cuevas attempted to pick him off at first, but a wayward throw allowed Bartlett to race home and put the Hillcats up 1-0.
• Randy Labaut pitched three scoreless innings in his second career start with Lynchburg, however the FredNats got on the board in the bottom of the fourth. Junior Martina reached on a throwing error by Angel Martinez at short, getting pushed to third thanks to two walks. With the bases loaded Fredericksburg catcher Onix Vega drew a free pass to even the score at one apiece. With one out and the bases still loaded the Hillcats made a pitching change, sending out Daritzon Feliz on a 1-0 count to Jose Sanchez. The Hillcats reliever locked in and fanned back-to-back batters to get out of the jam and keep it 1-1.
• In the bottom of the fifth Jeremy De La Rosa smacked a home run to right-center field that gave the FredNats their first lead of the game.
• Down 2-1 the Hillcats finally tied the game up in the top of the ninth. Once again it was Will Bartlett who kicked things off, singling to center field. Hosea Nelson followed with a base-hit of his own to center. Both runners moved along on a sacrifice bunt laid down by Cody Farhat, with Bartlett scoring when Alexfri Planez pushed a sac-fly to left field. The tally tied the game up at 2 and forced a bottom of the ninth inning.
• Lynchburg pitcher Trey Benton struck out two batters, but a single from Jose Sanchez put the winning run on the basepaths. The Hillcats made a pitching change, sending out Jerson Ramirez after an intentional walk to De La Rosa. The ‘Cats bullpen arm walked Cole Daily to load the bases, putting the winning run 90-feet away. Junior Martina stepped up and flared a single to right field that brought home the winning run and handed the Hillcats their first walk-off loss of the year 3-2.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Angel Martinez went 3-4 on the night in the leadoff slot with the Hillcats.
• Lynchburg pitching combined for 13 strikeouts on the night.

WHO'S NEXT

The Hillcats take on the Nationals in game two of a six game series on Wednesday night at 7:05pm.