Big Rallies Not Enough in 14-10 Loss to Hillcats

Lynchburg 14 @ Carolina 10

July 09, 2021 | Venue : Five County Stadium | First pitch : 8:16 PM | Att : 3,535 | T : 3:57 (1:16 delay)

WP: Daritzon Feliz (3 - 2) LP: Jason Munsch (0 - 1)

ZEBULON – The Mudcats rallied back from a six-run deficit with six runs in the fourth and later rallied for four more runs in the ninth, but left the tying run on deck in the final frame while falling 14-10 to the Hillcats in the third game of a six-game series on Friday night at Five County Stadium.

The game began late with a one hour and :16 minute delay due to rain and wet grounds. It also ran three hours and :57 minutes and was Carolina’s longest game of the season.

Carolina (32-24) originally fell behind 2-0 in the second and then 6-0 in the fourth as the Hillcats (27-28) rallied early against starter Brendan Murphy. That four-run fourth included a three-run homer from Korey Holland, the first of two homers in the game for Lynchburg.

The Mudcats then went on to rally for six runs and six hits in the fourth while tying the game at six apiece. The Hillcats later broke that tie with a run in the fifth and went on to score four in the eighth and three in the ninth while going up 14-6. The Mudcats then rallied for four more in the ninth, but came up short with the comeback bid while falling 14-10.

The six-run comeback frame included consecutive hits from Freddy Zamora, Zavier Warren, Felix Valerio and Noah Campbell. Valerio’s was the first run-scoring hit of the inning as it scored Zamora. Campbell’s was the second with it going for a double that scored two. Joey Wiemer then walked, and Ernesto Martinez doubled to score a run and knock starter Jordan Jones out of the game. Reliever Daritzon Feliz was then greeted to the game with a RBI single from Darrien Miller, but that would be sixth and final hit of the inning. In all, Carolina scored six run on six hits in the fourth to tie the game at 6-6.

Both starters, Murphy for Carolina and Jones for Lynchburg, pitched into the fourth and both allowed six runs. Murphy (4.0 IP, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO) spread his out with two in the second and four in the fourth, while Jones (3.0 IP, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO) saw all of his come in the fourth and all come across without an out in the frame.

Reliever Jason Munsch followed Murphy in the fifth and ended up losing the tie after giving up a run-scoring hit to Christian Cario in the fifth. Munsch (0-1, 7.71) totaled five strikeouts in his appearance, but also allowed three runs on three hits over three innings plus while taking the loss. Juan Geraldo followed Munsch and allowed two inherited runners to score while working the eighth. Brock Begue pitched the ninth and allowed three runs and three hits.

After Lynchburg scored seven times over the final two frames, Carolina’s four-run ninth included just one run-scoring hit and two hits overall. Andre Nnebe had the RBI hit in the ninth, but it came with two outs in the final frame and was followed by a lineout by Gabe Holt to end the game. Nnebe was one of two baserunners on in the ninth before the final out, thus leaving the tying run on deck

Lynchburg relievers Feliz and Andrew Misiaszek shutdown the Carolina offense after the big six-run fourth and held the Mudcats quiet through the eighth. Feliz earned the win while going through two and 2/3 scoreless with three strikeouts. Misiaszek worked two and 1/3 scoreless with four strikeouts.

The series will continue on Saturday afternoon with a doubleheader starting at 3:00 p.m. at Five County Stadium. The Mudcats lead the series 2-1.

HOME RUNS:

Lynchburg HR : Holland (1, 4th inning off Murphy, 2 on, 0 out); Planez (7, 9th inning off Begue, 0 on, 1 out).

TOP PERFORMERS - BATTERS:

Holland, LF (Lynchburg): 1-for-3, 1 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 4 RBI

Farhat, RF (Lynchburg): 2-for-4, 3 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI

Planez, CF (Lynchburg): 2-for-4, 3 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 1 RBI

Cairo, 2B (Lynchburg): 2-for-3, 3 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 1 RBI

Peralta, 1B (Lynchburg): 2-for-5, 1 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 2 RBI

Warren, DH (Carolina): 2-for-5, 2 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI

Valerio, F, 2B (Carolina): 1-for-3, 2 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 1 RBI

Wiemer, CF (Carolina): 1-for-3, 2 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 1 RBI

Nnebe, RF (Carolina): 2-for-5, 0 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 2 RBI

TOP PERFORMERS - PITCHERS:

Munsch (L, 0-1) (Carolina): 3 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 5 SO

Geraldo (Carolina): 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO

Feliz, D (W, 3-2) (Lynchburg): 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO

Misiaszek (H, 3) (Lynchburg): 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO

SCORING PLAYS:

Hillcats 2nd (Hillcats 2, Mudcats 0) -- Gabriel Rodriguez singles to left-center field. Cody Farhat singles to left-center field, Gabriel Rodriguez to 2nd. Alexfri Planez strikes out swinging. Christian Cairo reaches on a fielder's choice, fielded by Freddy Zamora, Gabriel Rodriguez to 3rd; Cody Farhat to 2nd. Korey Holland out on a sacrifice fly to Andre Nnebe, Gabriel Rodriguez scores; Cody Farhat to 3rd. Wilfri Peralta singles to right field, Cody Farhat scores; Christian Cairo to 3rd. Petey Halpin flies out to Andre Nnebe.

(2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors, 2 LOB)

Hillcats 4th (Hillcats 6, Mudcats 0) -- Cody Farhat singles to deep shortstop. Cody Farhat steals 2nd base. Cody Farhat steals 3rd base, Cody Farhat scores; throwing error by Darrien Miller. Alexfri Planez reaches on throwing error by Gabe Holt, Alexfri Planez to 2nd. Christian Cairo walks, Christian Cairo to 2nd; Alexfri Planez steals 3rd base.wild pitch by Brendan Murphy. Korey Holland hits a home run to right field on a 2-2 pitch, Alexfri Planez scores; Christian Cairo scores. Wilfri Peralta flies out to Joey Wiemer. Petey Halpin flies out to Joey Wiemer. Angel Martinez flies out to Joey Wiemer.

(4 Runs, 2 Hits, 2 Errors, 0 LOB)

Mudcats 4th (Hillcats 6, Mudcats 6) -- Freddy Zamora singles to shallow left field. Zavier Warren singles through the hole at second base, Freddy Zamora to 3rd. Felix Valerio singles to left-center field, Freddy Zamora scores; Zavier Warren to 2nd. Noah Campbell doubles to left field, Zavier Warren scores; Felix Valerio to 3rd. Wild pitch by Jordan Jones, Felix Valerio scores; Noah Campbell to 3rd. Joey Wiemer walks. Ernesto Martinez doubles to right field, Noah Campbell scores; Joey Wiemer to 3rd. Pitcher Change: Daritzon Feliz replaces Jordan Jones. Darrien Miller singles through the hole at shortstop, Joey Wiemer scores; Ernesto Martinez to 3rd. Andre Nnebe grounds out, Gabriel Rodriguez to Wilfri Peralta, Ernesto Martinez scores; Darrien Miller to 2nd. Gabe Holt strikes out swinging. Freddy Zamora flies out to Cody Farhat.

(6 Runs, 6 Hits, 0 Errors, 1 LOB)

Hillcats 5th (Hillcats 7, Mudcats 6) -- Pitcher Change: Jason Munsch replaces Brendan Murphy. Yainer Diaz strikes out on foul tip. Gabriel Rodriguez strikes out swinging. Cody Farhat hit by pitch. Alexfri Planez singles to left-center field, Cody Farhat to 2nd. Christian Cairo singles to left-center field, Cody Farhat scores; Alexfri Planez to 2nd. Korey Holland struck out looking.

(1 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors, 2 LOB)

Hillcats 8th (Hillcats 11, Mudcats 6) -- Alexfri Planez hit by pitch. Christian Cairo singles up the middle, Alexfri Planez to 2nd. Pitcher Change: Juan Geraldo replaces Jason Munsch. Korey Holland out on a sacrifice bunt, Juan Geraldo to Felix Valerio, Alexfri Planez to 3rd; Christian Cairo to 2nd. Wilfri Peralta struck out looking. Petey Halpin doubles to left field, Alexfri Planez scores; Christian Cairo scores. Angel Martinez singles to right-center field, Petey Halpin scores. Yainer Diaz doubles to right-center field, Angel Martinez scores. Gabriel Rodriguez strikes out swinging.

(4 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors, 1 LOB)

Hillcats 9th (Hillcats 14, Mudcats 6) -- Pitcher Change: Brock Begue replaces Juan Geraldo. Cody Farhat strikes out swinging. Alexfri Planez hits a home run to left-center field on a 0-0 pitch. Christian Cairo walks. Korey Holland strikes out swinging. Wild pitch by Brock Begue, Christian Cairo to 2nd. Wilfri Peralta doubles to left field, Christian Cairo scores. Petey Halpin singles to deep second base, Wilfri Peralta scores. Angel Martinez lines out to Gabe Holt.

(3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors, 1 LOB)

Mudcats 9th (Hillcats 14, Mudcats 10) -- Pitcher Change: Cade Smith replaces Andrew Misiaszek. Freddy Zamora walks. Zavier Warren singles to right field, Freddy Zamora to 3rd. Felix Valerio walks, Zavier Warren to 2nd. Noah Campbell walks, Freddy Zamora scores; Zavier Warren to 3rd; Felix Valerio to 2nd. Joey Wiemer grounds into a force out, Gabriel Rodriguez to Christian Cairo, Zavier Warren scores; Felix Valerio to 3rd; Noah Campbell out at 2nd. Ernesto Martinez strikes out swinging. Pitcher Change: Alec Wisely replaces Cade Smith. Darrien Miller reaches on fielding error by Wilfri Peralta, Felix Valerio scores; Joey Wiemer to 3rd. Andre Nnebe singles to right-center field, Joey Wiemer scores; Darrien Miller to 2nd.

(4 Runs, 2 Hits, 1 Errors, 2 LOB)