Pelicans outlast Dash to take series finale

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (May 11, 2017) - Despite a strong showing from the Dash at the plate, Myrtle Beach's offense overcame three separate one-run deficits to defeat Winston-Salem 9-7 in front of 5,242 fans on Thursday at BB&T Ballpark.
In the loss, the Dash (12-22) registered 14 hits against four Pelicans pitchers, good for the second-most this season for the club. Five players posted multi-hit contests, including Johan Cruz who tallied his first three-hit effort at the High-A level. Luis Basabe, Ronald Bueno, Jake Fincher and Danny Mendick each had two hits in the contest.

Winston-Salem led 6-5 after five innings, but the Pelicans (19-15) seized the advantage for good in the sixth against Dash starter Tanner Banks (4-1). With runners on second and third and one out, Jesse Hodges stroked a two-run double to put Myrtle Beach on top 7-6.
The Birds tallied their final runs in the eighth on a two-run blast by Bryant Flete against Yelmison Peralta.
The Dash did not go away quietly, though. Zack Collins smacked a two-out, solo homer in the bottom of the eighth to make it a 9-7 contest. 
Pelicans closer Craig Brooks came on in the ninth and loaded the bases with two outs. On a 2-2 count, Basabe drove a pitch that just sailed foul of the right-field foul pole. Brooks buckled down on the next offerring, striking out Basabe to seal the victory.
Kyle Miller (1-1) picked up the victory, tossing three innings of middle relief and yielding just one run.
The Dash got on the board early against starter Thomas Hatch. Basabe led off the first with a single and moved to third following an error on a pickoff throw and a wild pitch. Bueno followed with an RBI double to put Winston-Salem ahead 1-0.
Myrtle Beach quickly responded in the next half inning against Banks. With runners on second and third and two outs, Flete smacked a two-run double to give the Pelicans the advantage. An RBI double by Trent Giambrone and a throwing error by Brady Conlan on a grounder by P.J. Higgins gave the visiting team a 4-1 edge by the end of the frame.
However, Winston-Salem pieced together back-to-back two-run frames in the second and third. Mendick and Bueno delivered RBI singles in the second, while an RBI single by Mendick coupled with an RBI fielder's choice by Basabe allowed the Dash to go up 5-4 after the third.
The Pelicans temporarily tied the contest in the fifth on an RBI single by Connor Myers, but Winston-Salem took its final lead on an RBI double by Fincher.
The Dash now hit the road for a three-game set against the Carolina Mudcats at Five County Stadium, starting on Friday at 7 p.m. in Zebulon. Winston-Salem sends right-hander Zach Thompson (1-3, 4.68 ERA) to the hill in the series opener against Muddies righty Cody Pence (2-3, 4.00 ERA). Fans can catch all of Friday's action on wsdash.com/broadcast and the TuneIn Radio App, with pregame coverage scheduled for 6:45 p.m.
Following their series in Zebulon, #YourHomeTeam returns to BB&T Ballpark for an eight-game homestand. Winston-Salem will play a four-game series against the Lynchburg Hillcats, followed by a four-game series against Carolina. The promotions during this eight-day stretch include an All-You-Can-Eat For Free Night, a Fireworks Friday, a Chick-fil-A Four Pack Night and much more. For tickets, call the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.