Stewart's Blast Fuels Decisive Sixth

Frederick, Md. -A DJ Stewart home run proved to be the difference maker in a five-run Frederick Keys (46-42/10-8) sixth inning as the orange black defeated the Winston-Salem Dash (36-52/8-10) 11-7 on Monday afternoon at Nymeo Field. With the win, the Keys claim the series, while it moves the team back to a season-best four games over .500. In addition to Stewart, Cam Kneeland enjoyed a great day at the plate, finishing with a career-high five RBIs.

Trailing 7-5 in the sixth, the Keys put two of the first three on base. Conor Bierfeldt singled, while Steve Wilkerson coaxed a walk to end the day of Dash starter Zach Thompson. He would be replaced by Danny Dopico, who retired the first batter he faced, but none afterwards. Jay Gonzalez singled in Bierfeldt from second, while another base hit by Erick Salcedo tied the game. That sent up Stewart who obliterated a 2-1 pitch from Dopico (0-3) over the rightfield wall. The second Carolina League home run for the Florida State product, Stewart finished the game with a season-high four RBIs.

Kneeland did even better, thanks to one big swing in the third inning. After both sides traded runs in the first, the Dash took a 3-1 lead in the second following an RBI double by Brett Austin which scored Telvin Nash from third and a Hunter Jones RBI base knock which brought in Toby Thomas. After a quick second, Thompson walked two and gave up a single to Gonzalez to load the bases in the third. That sent up Kneeland, who who hit a grand slam to left.

Frederick's advantage did not last long, as Winston-Salem regained the lead in the fourth against Franderlin Romero. Cleuluis Rondon doubled in Thomas from first, while a balk and another RBI single by Jones made it 5-5. Romero would be pulled one batter later. Taking his place, Trevor Belicek surrendered a two-run double to Nick Basto to give the visitors the lead until the Keys sixth.

In the seventh, Kneeland closed out his day with an RBI ground rule double to finish 3-for-4. It was the fourth straight multi-hit game for the Massachusetts native. Jeff Beliveau and Ryan Meisinger shut down the Dash over the final four innings. Neither pitcher allowed a run, while they surrendered just two combined hits.

Beliveau (3-0) got his second win in as many days by tossing two scoreless innings. He gave up one hit and struck out four. Meisinger went the rest of the way to pick up the save. Dopico took the loss after allowing three runs on four hits in one-third of an inning.

The Keys have an off-day on Tuesday before beginning a series at Myrtle Beach on Wednesday night. Right-hander Lucas Long (4-5, 4.89) starts for the Keys against Pelicans righty Jeremy Null (2-4, 4.73). First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m from TicketReturn.com Field and the broadcast can be heard on 1450 AM The Source and frederickkeys.com. Frederick returns home on Thursday, July 21 when the Salem Red Sox come back to town. For tickets, fans can call the Keys at 301-815-9939 or visit frederickkeys.com.