FREDERICKSBURG, VA- On Tuesday night, the Fredericksburg Nationals lost 2-1 to the Lynchburg Hillcats in Game 1 of the Carolina League Division Series at Virginia Credit Union Stadium.
Fredericksburg mustered just four hits in the loss, including two from catcher Kevin Bazzell and a double from No. 1 prospect Eli Willits.
Bazzell provided the lone run in the game, a solo homer in the bottom of the third inning to tie things up at 1-1 just after Lynchburg took the lead in the top-half of the third. It was the first professional homer of Bazzell’s career and first postseason homer as well.
Kevin Bazzell's FIRST pro home run is an absolute rocket that ties the game in the 3rd! 🚀
— #Fredericksburg Nationals (#@FXBGNats)
11:30 PM • Sep 9, 2025
A credit to Fredericksburg’s pitching staff as the Hillcats recorded 11 hits, but were only able to score two runs off a pair of run-scoring singles, one that was an RBI single and another that saw a throwing error bring home a run.
Liam Sullivan tossed four innings as Fredericksburg’s starting pitcher on the day and earned a no-decision. Relief pitcher Riley Maddox suffered the loss, allowing a run in 2.2 innings while striking out five batters.
Lynchburg used four pitchers, including three that went two innings or more, striking out 12 total Fredericksburg hitters overall.
Fredericksburg travels to Lynchburg for Game 2 at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. A loss knocks them out of the postseason while a win forces a winner-take-all Game 3 on Friday.