Hillcats salvage series split Sunday, sinking Shorebirds, 4-3

LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — The Lynchburg Hillcats did just enough to not only get a 4-3 win over Delmarva on Sunday, but also move closer to first place in the Carolina League's Northern Division.

Lynchburg (30-24 second half) found themselves training Delmarva (23-30 second half) once again after the first half inning, as Anderson De Los Santos hit a 2 RBI double for the early lead. Lynchburg, however, clawed right back into it, thanks to runs coming home on a balk, then a wild pitch from Shorebirds pitcher Raul Rangel to tie it at 2.

The Hillcats finished their scoring in the fourth inning, as Luis Durango doubled down the left field line, plating Juan Benjamin for the lead. Durango then raced home as Guy Lipscomb hit his second RBI triple in as many days to make it a 4-2 game. De Los Santos would get the Shorebirds within one run on a sac fly in the 6th inning, but Lynchburg pitching shut Delmarva down when necessary, holding the Shorebirds to just 1-10 with runners in scoring position. Adam Tulloch (W, 5-6, 5.21 ERA) got the win for Lynchburg, striking out 5 over 5 innings of work, while Zane Morehouse (SV, 1, 9.64 ERA) picked up the save, despite a rocky 9th inning. Delmarva had two runners one with just one out in the bottom 9th, when Adam Crampton popped into a double play, as Lynchburg's Wuilfredo Antunez was able to pick off Jalen Vasquez at 2nd base for the third out of the ball game.

The Carolina Mudcats' loss earlier in the day means the Hillcats are just 2 games in back of first in the Northern Division. After an off day on Monday, Lynchburg hits the road for their final road trip of the regular season - a crucial 6-game set at Fredericksburg, beginning on Tuesday. Fredericksburg is just 3.5 games back of 1st place in the North, 1.5 games in back of Lynchburg.