Dash clinch winning record in season finale

Winston finishes 71-69 for fourth winning record in five years

By Rob Low

September 2, 2013

WILMINGTON, Del. (Sept. 2, 2013) - The Winston-Salem Dash wrapped up their 2013 season with a 5-4 win in 10 innings over the Wilmington Blue Rocks on Monday afternoon at Frawley Stadium.

The win clinches a winning overall record for Winston-Salem (33-37, 71-69). This marks the fourth winning season in the five years since the franchise was renamed the Dash prior to the 2009 campaign. The only losing season occurred in 2011 when Winston went 69-71.

With the contest tied 4-4 heading into the 10th, the Dash loaded the bases against Blue Rocks reliever Cody Fassold (5-9). Joey DeMichele was at the plate when Fassold uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Courtney Hawkins to scamper home to put the Dash in front for good.

In the bottom of the 10th, Wilmington (30-40, 63-77) picked up a lead-off single from Micah Gibbs against Jeremy Erben (4-1), but the righty retired the next three he faced to finish off the game and the 2013 season for both clubs. Erben logged four scoreless innings of relief for the victory.

Winston-Salem grabbed the lead in the second inning on an odd play. With the bases loaded and one out, a ground ball off the bat of Joe De Pinto turned into a unique double play, which saw Courtney Hawkins score but also ended the inning.

The Blue Rocks answered in the bottom of the second. Dash starter Terance Marin surrendered a double to Ethan Chapman to tally Wilmington's first run of the afternoon. Jack Lopez followed with a two-run single to give the Blue Crew the lead.

The Dash went back ahead in the fifth. With two on, Jeremy Farrell took Wilmington starter Angel Baez deep for his 11th homer of the season, a three-run shot to put Winston ahead 4-3.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Blue Rocks evened things up on an RBI single by Tim Ferguson, but Winston-Salem reliever J.B. Wendelken was able to wiggle out of a jam to keep Wilmington from regaining the lead.

The Dash wrapped up the campaign with 11 wins in their final 14 games to log another winning season. However, Winston-Salem fell short of the postseason for just the second time in its last five years. Still, the Dash posted the fourth-best overall record in the Carolina League.

Winston-Salem will begin the fifth season inside BB&T Ballpark and the sixth season of the Dash era in April of 2014. The Dash's 2014 schedule, which will feature 70 home games inside BB&T Ballpark, will be announced in the fall.

For more information on the Dash or 2014 season tickets, call (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.