LYNCHBURG, VA - Lynchburg's Triston McKenzie struck out a career high 14 and allowed just one hit over six scoreless innings and both Ka'ai Tom and Martin Cervenka hit solo home runs as the Hillcats defeated the Mudcats 4-1 on Tuesday night at Calvin Falwell Field in Lynchburg.
LYNCHBURG, VA - Lynchburg's Triston McKenzie struck out a career high 14 and allowed just one hit over six scoreless innings and both Ka'ai Tom and Martin Cervenka hit solo home runs as the Hillcats defeated the Mudcats 4-1 on Tuesday night at Calvin Falwell Field in Lynchburg.
McKenzie (3-2, 1.95) walked Corey Ray to start the game, but then went on to record six consecutive strike outs and 10 straight outs overall before allowing a fourth inning single to Isan Díaz. McKenzie struck out 14, walked one, gave up one hit and pitched to a game score of 86 while leading the Hillcats (16-13) to the series opening victory.
Conor Harber started for the Mudcats (13-18) and also set a career high for strikeouts as he fanned eight over four and 2/3 innings. He at one point retired 11 straight between the first and fourth, but took the loss after allowing two runs in the first and one in the fifth. Harber (1-2, 3.20) also walked two and gave up three runs on four hits while pitching into the fifth.
The Hillcats opened Tuesday's game with two runs and three hits in the first off Harber with Tom starting the rally with a solo home run and Cervenka capping it with a RBI single. Lynchburg led 2-0 after the first and added one more in the fifth when Jodd Carter started the frame with a walk and later scored on wild pitch lost by Harber (his third wild pitch of the game).
Reliever Jon Olczak (2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 SO) took over for Harber at the end of the fifth and later allowed a home run to Cervenka in the sixth. Brad Kuntz also pitched for the Mudcats and was able to get through a scoreless eighth while facing only three batters.
Carolina's only run of the game came in the seventh when Diaz reached on a strikeout-wild pitch and later scored on a bases loaded force out hit into by Luis Aviles Jr.. The Mudcats loaded the bases twice in the seventh, but scored just the one run.
Relievers Dominic DeMasi and Argenis Angulo finished the game for the Hillcats after McKenzie pitched through his scoreless frames. DeMasi gave up the lone Carolina run in the seventh and worked through a total of two innings with two hits allowed and one strikeout. Angulo (S, 3) pitched the ninth and earned the save after walking one and striking out two.
NOTES: The victory gave the Hillcats a 1-0 lead in the four game set and a 3-0 lead overall in the season series… Jake Gatewood was 1-for-4 and extended his hitting streak to a career best 18 consecutive games with a single to right in the seventh.
UP NEXT: The Mudcats and Hillcats continue their series in Lynchburg with a doubleheader on Wednesday evening beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Calvin Falwell Field.
Wednesday's doubleheader will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will air live on the Mudcats Radio Network, The Big Dawg 98.5 FM (joined in progress) and online at carolinamudcats.com via TuneIn Radio.
Carolina's next home game is on Friday, May 12 at 7:00 p.m. against the Winston-Salem Dash. The May 12 game will feature Friday Night Fireworks presented by Sears Home Services. It will also include Pack Your Bags Night where one lucky fan will win a free trip for four to Myrtle Beach courtesy of VisitMyrtleBeach.com. Tickets are available by calling (919) 269-CATS (2287) and by visiting carolinamudcats.com/tickets.
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