Clemson's Moskos shuts down Pelicans

In a battle between USC and Clemson products, the Gamecock came out victorious. But the Tiger won the war. Travis Jones knocked a two-run homer off Daniel Moskos, but it wasn't enough, as the Pelicans fell to the Hillcats, 5-3.
The Pelicans have lost their last three games since clinching the first half title on June 6th in Kinston, N.C. The Pelicans are still two wins from equaling and three wins from breaking the first half franchise wins record of 43 set back in 2002.
The Hillcats illuminated the BB&T Coastal Field scoreboard first. In the top of the first, Angel Gonzalez led off with an infield single up the third base line. Alex Presley then grounded to Ernesto Mejia, who stepped on first and then threw wild to second in an effort to double up Gonzalez. Due to the wild throw, Gonzalez was able to scamper to third. Jim Negrych followed with a bounce out to short that scored Gonzalez from third.
In the second, the Hillcats tacked on another manufactured run. Jared Keel and Angel Gonzalez both singled. A fielder’s choice groundout by Alex Presley brought home Keel to give the Hillcats a 2-0 lead.
Brandon Hicks led off the bottom of the second with a slow roller up the third base line that he beat out for a single and was advanced to second on an errant throw from Jim Negrych. After swiping third, Hicks scored on a deep ground ball to shortstop Greg Picart off the bat of Tyler Flowers to get the Pelicans on the board.
Lynchburg reconstructed their two run lead in the top of the third. With runners at first and third, Tony Mansolino delivered an RBI single through the left side of the infield to bring home Jamie Romak.
In the fourth, the Hillcats continued to post runs against Scott Diamond. A one out double by Alex Presley fueled the fire. After Presley advanced to third on a single by Jim Negrych, Jamie Romack connected on a sacrifice fly to deep right-center field to plate Presley.
Behind 4-1, the Pelicans used the long ball to cut into the deficit. Following a Tyler Flowers one out walk, Travis Jones unleashed on a changeup by Daniel Moskos over the left field wall. It was his ninth home run of the season and his 37th and 38th RBIs.
The Hillcats tacked on an insurance run in the top of the eighth inning. Jared Keel led off the frame with a walk. A two out single by Alex Presley pushed Keel up to third. Then, a wild pitch by Butts, that skipped away from Flowers, allowed Keel to score, which gave the Hillcats a 5-3 edge.
Pelicans starter Scott Diamond struggled early and failed to factor into the decision. He allowed a season-high 11 hits and four runs. Brett Butts replaced Diamond in seventh and went the next 1.2 innings, allowing one run before handing it off to Tyler Wilson. After loaded the bases in the ninth, Wilson magically held the Hillcats to no runs, striking out two. The win went to Lynchburg reliever Adam Simon, who stifled the Pelicans in 2.2 innings, allowing just two hits and no runs. Kevin Roberts entered in the ninth and proceeded to earn his fourth save of the season.
The Pelicans take on the Hillcats in game two of the series on Tuesday, June 10th at 7:05 p.m. The Pelicans will send RHP Kyle Cofield (3-4, 2.56) to the mound, while the Hillcats will counter with LHP Brian Holliday (1-5, 6.12).