Hiura Homers Twice and Mudcats Total 19 Strikeouts in 9-0 Victory

LYNCHBURG, VA - Keston Hiura went 5-for-5 with two home runs, Marcos Diplan struck out 10, the Carolina offense totaled five home runs and the pitching staff combined on a four hit shutout while totaling 19 strikeouts in a 9-0 series clinching victory versus the Hillcats at City Stadium on Thursday night.

The Mudcats (27-26) set a new season high with five home runs in the game, including a leadoff blast from Dallas Carroll to start things in the first inning. The home run barrage also included a solo shot from Ryan Aguilar in the fourth, a three-run blast in the fifth from Weston Wilson and solo shots from Hiura in the seventh and ninth innings.
Carroll's first inning, leadoff homer counted for his first home run of the season and came off Lynchburg (25-25) starter Tanner Tully. Following a two hit and two run second, Aguilar then came through with his third homer of the year in the fourth to stretch the Carolina lead to 4-0. Wilson then lifted Carolina to a 7-0 lead after connecting on his three-run shot, which at the time gave him sole possession of the team lead for home runs with seven on the year. 
Tully (2-5, 5.30) gave up three runs home runs and allowed seven runs on nine hits over four and 1/3 innings while taking the loss. Relievers Jared Robinson and Ben Krauth later followed Tully and both ended up giving up solo home runs to Hiura while finishing out the game. Robinson struck out three over two and 2/3 innings and Krauth struck out four over the eighth and ninth innings.
Hiura ended up matching Wilson for the team lead in home runs this season after clubbing his sixth and seventh homers of the year over the final three innings. He finished the game with three singles, two home runs and a career high five hits in the victory. It was also first multi-home run gam of his professional career.
With the Carolina offense mashing home runs, the pitching staff would go on to total a season high 19 strikeouts while allowing just four Lynchburg hits. 
Diplan (2-2, 3.16) started the game and struck out 10 over five and 2/3 scoreless innings while earning the victory. He also scattered four hits and walked two while reaching 95 pitches (60 strikes) in the game.
Reliever Chase Williams followed Diplan during the sixth and ended up pitching around a walk while finishing out the inning unscathed. Williams struck out three over his inning and 1/3, with his final two outs in the seventh both coming via strikeout. Reliever Phil Bickford then struck out the side in the eighth in his Carolina debut. Luke Barker then struck out the side in the ninth while finishing out the game.
Williams, Bickford and Barker combined to total eight straight strikeouts to finish the game and totaled nine strikeouts overall over the final half of the game. Diplan struck out a season high 10 (one short of a career high) in the game, while helping the Mudcats to a season best 19 strikeouts in the victory.
Carolina took two of three in the three game series and are 2-1 in their current six game road trip. The trip will continue on Friday night with game one of a three game series against Winston-Salem beginning at 7:00 p.m. The game will air on the Mudcats Radio Network, the Big Dawg 98.5 FM and via TuneIn Radio at carolinamudcats.com. It will also stream via live video on MiLB.tv.
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