Four-Run Seventh Sees Dash Grab Series Opening Win

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (July 4, 2022) — The Winston-Salem Dash found their offensive groove in the seventh inning to pull away from Wilmington in a 5-1 win.

Duke Ellis showcased his speed in the bottom of the first inning, when he leadoff the game for the Dash with a triple into the left field corner. The very next batter Colson Montgomery bounced a ground ball to third base, which was enough to see Ellis score the first run of the game.

From there, Winston-Salem starter Christian Mena really settled into a rhythm. The 19 year old right-hander surrendered a single in the second inning but nothing more, then worked a 1-2-3 third inning. The Blue Rocks singled in the fourth as well, but could not push a run across. Mena then registered a scoreless fifth inning, which wound up being his final frame. He did not allow a run or a walk in those five innings, with five strikeouts as well.

In the top of the sixth, Darren Baker drew a one-out walk for Wilmington against Luis Amaya. A single off the bat of Jose Sanchez pushed Baker to third base, then a well-placed single by Yasel Antuna plated Sanchez to tie the game at 1.

The game stayed tied at 1-1 into the home half of the seventh, which began with a Luis Mieses double into right field. Adam Hackenberg then grounded the first pitch of the at-bat to shortstop, but the throw to first sailed out of play and Mieses was awarded home, while Hackenberg moved to second. Up 2-1 now, Ben Norman singled through the right side of the infield, and Hackenberg crossed the plate to make it 3-1 Dash. A groundout pushed Norman to second base, then Duke Ellis walked to put two men aboard. Next, Colson Montgomery lined a single the other way to left field, with Norman scoring on the play and Ellis advancing to third base. The inning did not end there, as Oscar Colas plated Ellis with a sharp single into right field. All told, Winston-Salem pushed four runs across to go from a 1-1 tie, to a 5-1 advantage.

Everett Hazelwood entered from the Dash bullpen, and worked a perfect eighth inning. Then in the top of the ninth, Ty Madrigal sent the Rocks down 1-2-3 to secure a 5-1 Dash win. Amaya got the official win, with Michael Cuevas taking the loss.