Dash overwhelm Hillcats, claim fourth straight win

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (August 12, 2016) - Behind a 16-hit performance and a strong start from Jordan Stephens, the Dash blasted the Lynchburg Hillcats for a fourth consecutive win, 10-2 on Friday night at Calvin Falwell Field.

Each starter in the Dash lineup registered a knock, and each of the top five hitters had a multi-hit performance. Landon Lassiter, Gerson Montilla, Mason Robbins, Nick Basto and Zack Collins combined to go 12-for-23 with seven runs scored and five RBIs. Montilla led the way with four hits, matching a career-high.

Stephens (6-8), who upped his Carolina League-leading strikeout total to 123 with six on Friday, went 5.1 innings and allowed just four hits and one run, a solo shot from CL home run leader Bobby Bradley in the fourth. The righty has struck out six or more in eight of his last 11 outings.

Tied 1-1 in the fifth, Winston-Salem (23-25, 51-67) went to work against Lynchburg starter Sean Brady (11-5). After back-to-back one out singles by Lassiter and Montilla, Robbins roped an RBI double to center to give the Dash a 2-1 edge. The 23-year-old logged his 40th multi-hit game of the year with a 2-for-4 performance. Basto followed with an RBI groundout, giving Winston-Salem a two-run edge.

The Dash quickly chased Brady in the sixth. Davis began the frame with a triple, and Toby Thomas followed with an RBI double. Rondon delivered the knockout blow with an RBI single to give Winston-Salem a 5-1 lead. Robbins later made it 6-1 with a sacrifice fly against Dominic DeMasi.

Winston-Salem scored four unearned runs in the eighth, all with two outs. Collins completed a two-RBI effort with a run-scoring double. Lynchburg committed five errors in the contest, one short of its season high. 

The Dash struck first on an unearned run in the second. Basto led off the frame with an infield single and, on the play, catcher Francisco Mejia made an errant throw to first that allowed Basto to get to third. Collins followed with an RBI single to put the Dash up 1-0.

Behind Stephens' stellar work, Taylore Cherry gave up just one run over 2.2 innings in his first action in more than a week. Ryan Riga, who claimed a win in Thursday's doubleheader finale, spun a hitless ninth.

Mejia did push his hitting streak to 49 games with a 2-for-5 showing. This run is tied for the longest by a catcher in Minor League history.

The Dash continue their three-game set against the Hillcats at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. Winston-Salem sends left-hander Tanner Banks (6-2, 4.08 ERA) to the hill, while Lynchburg's starter has not been announced. The Pregame Dash begins at 6:15 p.m., and fans can tune in at wsdash.com/broadcast and the TuneIn Radio App.

#YourHomeTeam has just six home games remaining. The Dash return to BB&T Ballpark on Friday, August 19, for the first of three with the Salem Red Sox. The series opener includes a postgame fireworks show, presented by Image 360. For tickets, call the Baker Roofing Box Office at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.