Globe iconLogin iconRecap iconSearch iconTickets icon

Big Third Inning Powers Dash in 7-3 Victory

June 21, 2022

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (June 21, 2022) — Winston-Salem secured a series opening victory over the Hudson Valley Renegades 7-3. Hudson Valley got on the board first in the series opener. In the very top of the first inning, Trey Sweeney cracked a solo home run into the first row of seats

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (June 21, 2022) — Winston-Salem secured a series opening victory over the Hudson Valley Renegades 7-3.

Hudson Valley got on the board first in the series opener. In the very top of the first inning, Trey Sweeney cracked a solo home run into the first row of seats in right field.

The Dash had an answer in the bottom half of the frame, in the form of Oscar Colas. He took an 0-2 pitch deep to right field as well, nearly clearing the Foothills Flight Deck and tying the game at one apiece.

In the top of the second, James Nelson opened the inning with a single, and Carlos Narvaez singled as well with Nelson advancing to third base. That set the table for Aldenis Sanchez, he grounded into a fielder’s choice to score Nelson and give Hudson Valley a 2-1 edge.

After a scoreless bottom of the second, the Dash got the bats going in the third.

Duke Ellis led off with a triple off the wall in right center field, then scored on a Moises Castillo single to knot the game up at 2-2. Colas kept the line moving with another single to push Castillo to third, before Bryan Ramos singled to score Castillo. The throw in went to third base trying to cut down Colas, but he was safe and Ramos advanced to second base. With the Dash ahead 3-2 now, Luis Mieses dug in with a pair of runners in scoring position. He drew the count to 1-1, then dropped in a well-placed double down the left field line to score both runners and push the Winston-Salem lead to 5-2.

Duke Ellis extended the advantage in the fourth inning, with a leadoff home run on to the left field hill.

In the top of the fifth, Aaron Palensky cut the deficit to 6-3 with a towering solo home run to left field as well.

Dash starter Andrew Dalquist remained in the game to start the sixth inning, but was lifted after giving up a pair of base hits. All told, Dalquist worked 5.1 innings, surrendering just three earned runs, and racking up a season high seven punchouts. Karan Patel relieved him, and struck out two Renegades to preserve the 6-3 lead.

Winston-Salem added some insurance in the home half of the sixth.

Brandon Bossard reached on a hit-by-pitch, then Castillo walked. Colas worked the count full and swung through strike three, but Hudson Valley catcher Carlos Narvaez could not corral the pitch and Colas reached first to load the bases. Ramos then rolled one over for a groundball to short, but an errant throw to first allowed Bossard to score from third, and Winston-Salem led 7-3.

Patel fired scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth, before turning the ball over to Vince Vannelle for the ninth inning. He allowed a walk and a single, but no runs scored and the Dash took the series opener 7-3. Dalquist got the win, and Blane Abeyta took the loss.