Dash's frantic rally falls one run short

SALEM, Va. (April 8, 2014) - Winston-Salem whittled an eight-run lead down to one, but the Salem Red Sox survived for a 12-11 victory in the Dash's first road game of 2014 on Tuesday night at LewisGale Field.

The Red Sox (5-0) stormed out to an 11-3 lead after four innings, but Winston-Salem did not back down. A wild pitch and a Joey DeMichele single pushed home two runs for the Dash in the fifth.

Following a sixth-inning run for the Sox, the Dash (2-3) strung together consecutive three-run innings. Courtney Hawkins doubled home a run to kick off the seventh-inning scoring, while Martin Medina chased home two more with a double.

Hawkins struck again in the eighth inning with a three-run bomb on the first pitch he saw from Kyle Stroup. The former first-round pick matched a career high with five RBIs, and he leads the Carolina League with 11 through five games. He is also the only CL slugger with three long balls.

However, the Dash's rally fell one run short. DeMichele drew a five-pitch walk to kick off the top of the ninth, but Stroup did not allow DeMichele to advance any further, preserving Salem's first 5-0 start in franchise history.

After both teams spoiled scoring chances in the first inning, Salem mustered three runs with two outs in the second inning. Reed Gragnani singled home the game's first run, and Matty Johnson followed with a two-run blast to right.

Hawkins pushed the Dash's first run across with a single in the third. However, Aneury Tavarez responded with a three-run homer in the bottom of the third to push Salem's lead to 6-1.

Salem's fourth frame, which followed the Dash's two-run showing in the top half, was the true difference maker in this series opener. The Red Sox sent 11 men to the plate and scored five unearned runs, with David Chester's two-run triple starting the scoring.

Mike Recchia (0-1) failed to escape the third inning and surrendered six runs in his 2014 debut. Terance Marin allowed five runs, and Jefferson Olacio gave up one, but all six of these tallies were unearned.

All nine Dash hitters recorded at least one hit, led by three apiece from Jason Coats, Hawkins, and Michael Marjama. Coats also matched a career high with three runs scored.

The Dash and Red Sox continue their three-game set Wednesday night at 7:05 in the Roanoke Valley. Winston-Salem sends Opening Day starter J.B. Wendelken (0-1, 3.60 ERA) will oppose fellow right-hander William Cuevas (1-0, 0.00 ERA). Pregame coverage begins at 6:50 on wsdash.com/broadcast.

All-You-Can-Eat Night kicks off the Dash's next homestand on Tuesday, April 15, at 7 p.m. All fans can enjoy all-you-can-eat hot dogs, hamburgers and cheeseburgers through the seventh inning. Normal ticket prices apply, so visit wsdash.com for your tickets.