Hillcats Score Late, Stun First Place Nationals

The Lynchburg Hillcats capitalized on Fredericksburg Nationals mistakes to win the first game of the series.

The Hillcats (12-10) now creep closer to the top spot in the north division of the Carolina League by taking down the FredNats (14-8) by a score of 4-2. Lynchburg now sits two games out of first, with three home games left in the series.

The game opened with bang as Jeremy De La Rosa knocked a home run off the scoreboard in the first inning to give Fredericksburg the 1-0 lead. From there, Rodney Boone was lights out, setting down the Nationals in order until the fifth inning.

The Hillcats would score two runs in the third inning after Luis Durango reached safely on a bunt single, and then advanced to second on an errant throw. The next batter, Isaiah Greene, would hit a triple down the right field line to score Durango. Yordys Valdes would drive home Greene on a fielder’s choice to give the Hillcats the 2-1 lead.

The Nationals would tack on one more run in the fifth after Samuel Infante doubled to lead off the inning and move to third on a throwing error from left field. He would score later, on a sacrifice fly to right field.

The game would remain tied at two until the eighth inning when Isaiah Greene would score from second on a dropped third strike that was thrown away, allowing Valdes to advance to second. Dayan Frias would drive in Valdes with a double to give the Hillcats a two-run lead going to the ninth.

Elvis Jerez would come in to close things out in the ninth, allowing one walk and recording one strikeout.

The Hillcats and Nationals will play a doubleheader on Thursday, with first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m. at Bank of the James Stadium. Game two will start approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first.