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June 28th, 2024
Zebulon, NC- The first half champion Carolina Mudcats (4-3) played host to the Lynchburg Hillcats (4-3). The Mudcats were 1 game back of first place in the second half standings entering tonight. The Mudcats sent Josh Knoth (3-3) to the mound who had a 3.55 ERA in 45.2 innings pitched entering tonight. The Hillcats sent Alonzo Richardson (4-4) to the mound who had a 3.80 ERA in 66.1 innings pitched entering tonight.
The Hillcats struck first in the top of the 3rd with a sacrifice fly by Christian Knapczyk that scored Luis Durango which gave Lynchburg a 1-0 lead. The Mudcats left the bases loaded in the bottom of the 5th with a line out to left field. Lynchburg added to their lead in the top of the 6th with a walk by Jose Pastrano that scored Christian Knapczyk which increased the Lynchburg lead to 2-0.
Josh Knoth threw 5 innings while only allowing 1 run on 2 hits.
The Mudcats responded in the bottom half with 2 runs. The scoring started when Cooper Pratt score on an error which cut the deficit to 2-1. Then, Yhoswar Garcia scored on a single by Miguel Briceno that tied the game at 2-2. The Mudcats took the lead in the bottom of the 7th with 3 runs. The scoring started with a pair of sacrifice flies by Yophery Rodriguez and Cooper Pratt that scored Blayberg Diaz and Jose Acosta which gave the Mudcats a 4-2 lead. Then, a Luis Castillo infield single scored Fillipo Di Turi from second base which increased the Mudcats lead to 5-2.
Morris Austin threw 1.1 innings scoreless while he only allowed 1 hit. Jeison Pena slammed the door with 2 scoreless innings while he only allowed 1 hit.
The Mudcats are now in a 5 way tie in the second half North Division standings. Morris Austin received the win for his 1.1 innings pitched. Joshua Harlow received the lost for his 3 runs allowed in 1 inning. The save went to Jeison Pena for his 2 inning performance. The Mudcats are back in action Saturday Evening against the Hillcats at 5pm.
Manager Stanley spoke to the media after the game. When asked about the impact of Cooper Pratt’s double in the 6th Manager Stanley said:
“Their starter pitched pretty well. You got to give him credit. And then once Cooper got that double, it looked like we sort of the second and third time through the order, had a better idea what he was trying to do.”
When asked about the performance of Jeison Pena and Morris Austin, Manager Stanley said:
“They were on the attack. They were throwing strikes. And that’s what we ask all our guys to do, is come in the game and be ready and go after hitters.”
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