Lack of offense dooms Woodies to defeat at hands of Hillcats

The Down East Wood Ducks’ difficulty scoring runs reared its ugly head again – and the result was a 3-1 defeat at the hands of the visiting Lynchburg Hillcats Wednesday afternoon.

In front of 1,990 mostly loud youngsters at Historic Grainger Stadium on Camp Day, Anderson Tejeda’s RBI single in the first inning that scored Chuck Leblanc was the only offense the Woodies (11-23 second half, 46-58 overall) could muster against the Hillcats (18-15, 47-53).

Leblanc and Ricky Valencia had two hits each in the Wood Ducks’ seven-hit attack. The Woodies were 1-for-8 at the plate with runners in scoring position; they also left eight runners on base during the contest.

Joe Palumbo of the DEWDs gave up five hits in his five innings of work. He struck out six, walked one and gave up all three runs (two earned) to fall to 0-3.

The Hillcats tied the game at 1-1 in the third inning and took the lead for good with a two-spot in the fourth to provide the final score.

Like the Woodies, Lynchburg finished with seven hits, but the Hillcats took advantage of their base knocks – including a two-run home run from Jodd Carter in the third inning. Ernie Clement and Mitch Longo had two hits apiece for the Hillcats.

Zach Plesac went seven strong innings for Lynchburg, striking out 10, walking none while giving up six hits and no walks. He surrendered the lone earned run. James Karinchak went 1.1 innings, striking out three more Woodies to earn his 12th save of the season.

The teams play the rubber match of the three-game series Thursday. It’s “Throwback Thursday” at Grainger Stadium; all game tickets are $5 and the Woodies will play in Kinston Indians uniforms. Fans can also request songs from the K-Tribe era by visiting the Wood Ducks’ Facebook page.