Sox Fall Short in Home Opener

SALEM, VA – The Salem Red Sox fell in their series opener against the Lynchburg Hillcats 6-0 at Salem Memorial Ballpark. The Hillcats (7-0) lead the season series 1-0 over the Salem Red Sox (3-4).

The Hillcats trounced on top of the Sox in the top of the first with back-to-back hits to start the game. Starting pitcher Jeremy Wu-Yelland for the Red Sox limited the damage and got out of the inning giving up just one run off of a sacrifice fly to Micah Pries scoring Julian Escobedo.

The game was quiet until Jhonskensy Noel continued his tear across the Carolina league and drove home Alexfri Planez in the top of the fifth extending the Hillcat lead to 2-0. This snowball grew larger when Yainer Diaz lined a single to Nick Decker in right field scoring Jhonkensy Noel and Micah Pries after Decker misplayed the ball making it a 4-0 game.

In the top of the fifth the scoring continued for Lynchburg. Andres Melendez and Angel Martinez both doubled to center field and right field, respectively, to push the Hillcat lead to 6-0.

The top of the ninth featured RBI doubles from Yainer Diaz, Gabriel Rodriguez and Andres Melendez scoring Escobedo, Pries, Diaz, and Rodriguez to lengthen the lead to 10-0.

To cap off opening night Joe Davis blasted his first home run of the season over the left center wall to bring the final score to 10-1.

The Salem Red Sox will take on the Lynchburg Hillcats tomorrow night at 7:05 PM in Game two of a six game series.

First pitch: 7:05 PM

Time of game: 3:03

Attendance: 1,859

Venue: Salem Memorial Ballpark