Hillcats Squeak Out Victory Over FredNats

Fredericksburg, Virginia – Two solo shots and a stellar start from Jordan Jones gave the Lynchburg Hillcats (21-17) a narrow 4-3 win over the Fredericksburg Nationals (12-28) to put the ‘Cats up 3-1 in a six game series.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Both teams traded blows in the first inning, with the Hillcats striking first against FredNats starter Mitchell Parker (3-4). Yainer Diaz earned his 20th RBI when he singled to center field, bringing home Micah Pries and putting Lynchburg up 1-0. The Nationals responded quickly when a RBI base-hit from Junior Martina.
• Lynchburg snatched the lead back on a two out Landy Peña home run over the left field wall. The bomb was the first for Peña in a Hillcats jersey and gave the ‘Cats a 2-1 lead.
• The score remained stagnant, as Parker and Jones dueled on the mound. The FredNats starter fanned nine Hillcats.
• Jones (1-4) went five innings, allowing just the one run on two hits. The righty did not walk a single batter and earned his first win with the Hillcats this year.
• In the bottom of the fifth with one out, FredNats first baseman Jackson Coutts smoked a ball to center field. Racing back, Cody Farhat dove over his shoulder to make a SportsCenter worthy catch for Lynchburg.
• On a high, Farhat immediately doubled to left field in the top of the sixth, scoring when Gabriel Rodriguez laced a single through the hole at shortstop. Micah Pries followed by smashing a homer to right field, his first since opening day, giving the Hillcats a 4-1 lead.
• Andrew Misiaszek tossed two shutout innings in the sixth and seventh, but was lifted after FredNats catcher Allan Berrios walked. On his 23rd birthday Trey Benton came in for the Hillcats, quickly getting a force out. However, a single and two walks scored a run to cut the Hillcats lead to two. Benton fanned Junior Martina, but with the bases now loaded Ricardo Mendez drew another walk, bringing home another tally and making it a one run game.
• To get the final out in the bottom of the eighth, Lynchburg turned to new roster addition Brauny Munoz. With the bases still loaded, the bullpen arm fanned Jackson Coutts to get out of a jam and keep a narrow 4-3 Lynchburg lead.
• The Hillcats could not add any insurance in the top of the ninth, but Munoz got out of the frame unscathed and the Hillcats survived with a 4-3 victory in game four.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• In his first outing with Lynchburg Brauny Munoz earned his first career save.
• Alexfri Planez earned his fourth outfield assist of the year on a throw from right to second.

WHO'S NEXT

The Hillcats look for a series win Saturday in game five against the FredNats at 7:05pm.