Dunning helps Dash clinch sweep against Birds

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C (April 11, 2018) - Right-hander Dane Dunning took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, and the Dash offense provided more than enough support as Winston-Salem earned a 9-0 victory on Wednesday over Myrtle Beach to clinch a series sweep at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark.
Dunning (1-0) tied his season-high with eight strikeouts, allowing just two hits across his 6.1 shutout frames to tally his first win of the season. Dunning, who is rated by MLB Pipeline as the sixth-best prospect in the White Sox system, had his no-hit bid broken up by Pelicans (1-6) right fielder Chris Pieters with one out in the seventh. Through two starts with the Dash (4-3) this season, the former Florida Gator is 1-0 with a 0.79 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 11.1 innings. 

Following a scoreless first, the Dash bats got going in the second inning. Three batters after a Micker Adolfo leadoff double, Nate Nolan singled to left to bring home the game's first run. Winston-Salem plated two more in the following frame, thanks to a Luis Basabe RBI triple and an Alex Call sacrifice fly.
Basabe notched his second consecutive three-hit game and third straight multi-hit contest, finishing the night 3-for-5 with two RBIs. His single in the fifth inning helped kick-start the Dash's five-run fifth.
After Joel Booker singled and stole second, Basabe drove him in with his second knock of the night. The Dash scored four more times in the inning, thanks to four hits, two walks and two stolen bases. In the frame, Basabe, Adolfo, Yeyson Yrizarri and Ti'Quan Forbes all collected run-scoring hits.
Right-hander Keegan Thompson (0-2) allowed four runs on six hits in his 4.1 innings of work before giving way to the Pelicans bullpen. Left-hander Jordan Minch did not record an out during the fifth-inning barrage, allowing four runs on three hits and walking three.
The Dash offense, which put up a season-high in runs, leads the league in hits (69), doubles (16), RBIs (34), batting average (.297), on-base percentage (.375) and slugging percentage (.422) through seven games.
Right-hander Blake Hickman relieved Dunning in the seventh and registered 1.2 scoreless frames. Right-hander Zach Thompson polished off the shutout performance with a scoreless ninth.
The Dash return to Winston-Salem on Thursday to open a four-game series with the Carolina Mudcats at BB&T Ballpark at 7:00 p.m. Left-hander Bernardo Flores (1-0, 3.00 ERA) gets the start for Winston-Salem's home opener against Muddies right-hander Trey Supak (0-0, 0.00 ERA). Pregame coverage begins at 6:45 p.m., and fans can listen to all of the action on WSJS Sports (101.5 FM and 600 AM), wsjssports.com, MiLB.tv and the TuneIn Radio App.
The promotional slate begins with a Lowes Foods Thirsty Thursday, with select beers available for $1 through the seventh inning. The rest of the homestand includes a Fireworks Friday (presented by PTI Fly Easy), a Chick-fil-A Four Pack Night on Saturday and a Lowes Foods Family Sunday. For tickets and more information, call the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.