Antunez's blast lifts Hillcats to 3-1 road win at Delmarva

LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — The Lynchburg Hillcats pitching staff did their part to keep their team in the game Tuesday night in Maryland.

Wuifredo Antunez made sure their efforts did not go to waste.

The 21-year old sent a 1-1 fastball soaring over the wall in right field, breaking a tie in the 8th inning Tuesday night, lifting the Hillcats to a 3-1 win over the Delmarva Shorebirds.

Lynchburg (16-15 second half) garnered just 6 hits offensively against Delmarva (12-18 second half) in the series opener, but Alonzo Richardson (ND, 4-7, 5.78 ERA) kept the Shorebirds in check, allowing just one run over 5 innings of work. His bullpen mates would then shut Delmarva down, with Yeury Gervacio (W, 4-2, 3.30 ERA) striking out 4 during his two innings of work to pick up the win.

Richardson allowed the lone Delmarva run in the 1st inning with a wild pitch that allowed Stiven Acevedo to score from third base. That was the lone slip up for the Hillcats, as Delmarva went 0-9 with runners in scoring position. Still trailing 1-0 in the 8th, Juan Benjamin started the rally, lacing a double to right that ricocheted off the first basebam, allowing Marc Filia to score, tying the action at 1, setting the stage for Antunez's third HR of the season. Now with the lead, Miguel Vinico (ND, 2-3, 7.71 ERA) and Sam Vasquez (SV, 4, 4.41 ERA) shut down any Delmarva comebacks, with Vasquez striking out the side in the 9th to secure his fourth save of the season.

The win moves Lynchburg into sole possession of 2nd place in the Carolina League North over Salem, now just three games in back of the Carolina Mudcats. The series runs through Sunday in Salisbury, Maryland.