Coddington leads Hillcats past Salem

Kevin Coddington is fitting in nicely with the Lynchburg Hillcats.

A former 44th round pick in 2008, Coddington had his best game in his short Lynchburg career Wednesday, belting three hits along with an RBI and run scored to lead the Hillcats to a 4-3 win over the Salem Red Sox to complete a three-game home sweep.

Coddington, who has played only five games with the Hillcats since being called up, attributed his success at the plate to a little extra effort and a disciplined mental approach.

“I think more than anything we took some extra batting practice before the game and worked some things out. More than anything, hitting is mental. Bottom line, you’ve got to see the baseball and stay calm and trust yourself,” Coddington said.

The Hillcats responded to an early one-run deficit with a pair of runs in the home half of the first after Jordan Hotchkiss got off to a shaky start in his second start of the season. Hitting sixth in the order, Coddington tagged a hanging breaking ball from Brock Huntzinger to leftfield, scoring Carlos Mendez.

“Offensively we just did a great job backing up our pitchers … it’s just nice to see you respond like that, I think it says something,” Coddington said.

Coddington had the unenviable job of replacing Devin Mesoraco, who was promoted after leading the team in batting average, home runs, and RBI’s. Hillcats skipper Pat Kelly said Coddington has been just as solid managing the pitching staff.

“Kevin is an excellent receiver and he’s caught most of these guys over the last few years so he’s been able to step right in and take over for Mes,” Kelly said. “He had a great year last year and if it wasn’t for Mesoraco he probably would have started the year here so it’s nice to see him up here it’s where he deserves to be.”

In just his second start of the season and seventh of his career, Hotchkiss was equally as impressive as Coddington. After giving up three first inning hits, Hotchkiss settled down to allow just one more in the next three innings before being lifted and picking up a no decision. Hotchkiss says he is finally starting to command his slider, adding it to what is typically a steady diet of fastballs and changeups.

“I had all three pitches tonight, I’ve been working on my slider and I finally got that so I was able to throw that for a strike with my changeup and my fastball,” Hotchkiss said. “(I just want) go out there and get a good tempo and try to get ahead of the hitters. That’s the biggest thing, getting ahead.”

“The slider is kind of a new pitch for him as far as being effective. He’s always had the changeup and the sinker but now he’s got a slider which really gives him another weapon especially against the right handed hitters,” Kelly added.

The win put the finishing touches on a 5-1 homestand that has helped the Hillcats climb within five games of .500. Having played all six home games against Salem and Frederick, the Hillcats now embark on a seven game road swing against two familiar opponents — Salem and Frederick.