Offense erupts as Hillcats cruise past Salem

Salem, Va. - The Lynchburg Hillcats scored a season-high nine runs en route to a 11-5 win against the Salem Red Sox on Thursday.

The Hillcats (16-17) also registered a season-best 18 hits against the Red Sox (17-17), eclipsing their previous season-high of 14 hits set on Wednesday against Frederick.
Lynchburg opened the scoring in the first inning. Jodd Carter led off the frame with a single. After stealing second base and moving to third on an error, Carter scored on a sacrifice fly by Luke Wakamatsu.   
The Hillcats sent 12 hitters to the plate in a six-run second inning. Logan Ice started the frame with a walk, and then Dillon Persinger and Alexis Pantoja singled to load the bases with one out. Carter ripped a two-run single to extend Lynchburg's lead to 3-0. Wakamatsu followed with an RBI single, and two batters later, Trenton Brooks clubbed a two-run single of his own to give the Hillcats a 6-0 advantage. Emmanuel Tapia made it 7-0 by drawing a bases-loaded walk. At one point, Lynchburg recorded four straight hits in the frame. 
With one out in the third, Carter blasted a solo home run, his third of the season. Later in the third inning, Anthony Miller drove in a run on a ground out, stretching the lead to 9-0. 
Salem scored four of their five runs on two swings of the bat. Santiago Espinal hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning, his fifth of the year, and Bobby Dalbec hit a solo shot, his sixth of the season, in the sixth inning. Brett Netzer connected for an RBI single in the ninth.
Lynchburg added two more runs in the ninth inning on a two-run single from Brooks. 
Every Hillcats starter recorded at least one hit, and Carter, Persinger and Conner Capel each had three-hit games.
After being one-hit the Frederick Keys on Tuesday, the Hillcats have now picked up 32 hits over their last two contests.
Lynchburg starter Sam Hentges (Win, 3-1) pitched five innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits, striking out four.
Salem starter Bryan Mata (Loss, 1-2) was unable to make it out of the second inning. The 19-year-old lasted just 1.2 innings and surrendered seven runs (six earned) on seven hits.
The series continues on Friday with game two against the Red Sox. Right-hander Zach Plesac (2-2, 4.33) will make the start for the Hillcats, and left-hander Darwinzon Hernandez (2-1, 4.15) will start for Salem. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m at Haley Toyota Field. 
Max Gun and Matt Present will be on the air at 6:55 p.m. with the Hillcats pre-game show on TuneIn Radio and the Radio434 App.
For tickets or more information, visit lynchburg-hillcats.com, call 434-528-1144. or stop by the City Stadium box office.