Hilcats open Carolina League playoffs tonight against Wilmington

Big-game experience. Justin Wilson has it, and that’s one of the reasons the Pittsburgh Pirates were drawn to the left-handed pitcher in the 2008 draft. Wilson was the starting pitcher for Fresno State when the Bulldogs completed their improbable run to a College World Series championship, beating Georgia in Game 3 of the CWS championship series.

That experience alone isn’t the only reason Wilson will start tonight’s playoff opener against Wilmington at City Stadium. Wilson has been Lynchburg’s most consistent starting pitcher in the second half, lowering his ERA from 6.75 on July 9 to 4.50. It all adds up to Wilson getting the ball tonight.

“He’s throwing the ball really well, outside of one start in the second half,” Hillcats manager P.J. Forbes said. “We like what he’s shown. And he’s pitched in big games before in the College World Series. He understands big games. And obviously, Game 1 is a big game, especially at home.”

Getting off to a good start will be key for a Hillcats team that has, simply put, been dominated by the Blue Rocks this season. Wilmington has won 15 of the 20 meetings between the teams and nine straight, including a four-game late-August sweep of the Cats in Lynchburg.

It’s fair to say, though, that Wilmington played the second half with a much greater sense of urgency than the Hillcats did. Lynchburg clinched its playoff berth in mid-June and had nothing to gain from a strong second half, at least in terms of playoff positioning. Wilmington used an August surge to outlast Potomac for the second Northern Division playoff berth.

“You don’t look at it at all,” Hillcats catcher Kris Watts said, referring to Wilmington’s four-game sweep of the ’Cats. “We’re definitely gritting our teeth and getting ready for Wilmington. We’re definitely excited to play them.”

The Hillcats were the first Carolina League team since Frederick in 1997 to win a first-half division title and finish dead last in the second half. The Keys lost their opening playoff series that year 2-0.

For much of the season, Forbes’ managerial actions have been handcuffed by certain edicts from the Pirates’ front office. Certain pitchers were only allowed to throw limited innings. Others could only come in to start innings. All of those rules — save for the 30-pitch rule — are out the window for the playoffs, Forbes said.

So that means talented lefty Rudy Owens, who will start Game 2 Thursday, can go as long as Lynchburg needs him to.

He’s been limited to five innings or 80 pitches since being promoted from West Virginia last month.

“That’s why Rudy was limited late in the season,” Forbes said. “If he goes five scoreless and he’s at 55 or 60 pitches, we can send him back out there.”

Lynchburg also got a late offensive boost via the promotion of outfielder Starling Marte and catcher Tony Sanchez from West Virginia. Marte’s availability is in question after he sprained his ankle sliding into second base in his first game with the Hillcats last Saturday in Salem. Forbes said Marte is day-to-day and there are no plans to put him on the disabled list.

Sanchez, the Pirates’ first-round pick in the 2009 draft (fourth overall), has two hits in his first three games with the Hillcats.

The parent club has put Sanchez on the fast track from the start, moving him quickly from short-season State College to West Virginia, where he destroyed South Atlantic League pitching. In just 155 at-bats, Sanchez batted .316, hit seven home runs and drove in 46.

Sanchez has batted fifth once and sixth twice for Lynchburg, so he’ll be in a position to drive in runs in the playoffs. The biggest challenge for Sanchez will be learning a brand new group of pitchers with little time to spare. He said he spent Tuesday catching several bullpen sessions, trying to get familiar with the different pitchers’ tendencies.

“You want to see what pitches work and what pitches they’re comfortable with,” Sanchez said.

“I had to do it in West Virginia, and to come here and do it a game before the playoffs start is extremely tough. So I’m trying to get my reps in and get the experience the best I can so I can call the best pitches.”

The Hillcats are making their first playoff appearance since 2005 and haven’t won a postseason game since 2003. Wilmington has been swept in the Northern Division series two straight seasons and is looking for its first playoff series victory since 2004. Lynchburg has won both playoff meetings with the Blue Rocks, beating Wilmington 2-1 in 2002 and 2-0 in 2003.