Shirek Now 7-0, Dash Roll Past Pelicans

Winston-Salem starting pitcher Charlie Shirek improved to 7-0 on the season in leading the Dash past Myrtle Beach 6-3 on Wednesday afternoon at Wake Forest Baseball Park. The Minot, North Dakota native scattered nine hits in six innings of work to collect his Carolina League-leading seventh win of the season. He limited the Pelicans to two runs without allowing a walk.

The Pelicans pushed a run across in the first inning against Shirek to grab an early lead. C.J. Lee led off with a double and scored when Robert Marcial followed with a single. Winston-Salem answered back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning off Myrtle Beach starting pitcher Erik Cordier. Third baseman Brent Morel led off with a double and scored on an RBI single from left fielder Joe Persichina to knot the score at one. Later in the inning, Kent Gerst lofted a run-scoring double into left center field to put the Dash in front 2-1.

A run-scoring ground out by Cole Miles in the fourth inning evened the score at two. Once again, Winston-Salem would take the reigns with three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning sparked by a costly Pelicans error. Back-to-back singles by Perischina and catcher Mike Grace put runners on first and second with no outs. A sacrifice bunt attempt by Gerst was gloved by Cordier, but his throw to third base sailed into left field and allowed both runners to score. One batter later, shortstop Greg Paiml registered an RBI sacrifice fly to give the Dash a 5-2 lead.

Winston-Salem tacked on a run in the bottom of the sixth inning after Grace, who finished with three hits, led off with a single and Dale Mollenhauer lined an RBI double. Myrtle Beach finalized the scoring when Cole Miles hit a two-out, solo home run in the ninth inning.

Dash reliever Henry Mabee worked two perfect innings and Jacob Rasner recorded the final three outs to preserve the win. Cordier (0-2) suffered the loss for Myrtle Beach after allowing five runs (two earned) on six hits in four innings. The right-hander also walked three and struck out three.

This four-game series between the Dash and Pelicans will conclude on Thursday night at Wake Forest Baseball Park. It will also be Thirsty Thursday at the ballpark with discounted beer and soda for all fans in attendance. Winston-Salem will start RHP Levi Maxwell (0-6, 6.00), while Myrtle Beach is expected to turn to LHP Richard Sullivan (0-1, 5.68).

Single-game tickets are also available for games at Wake Forest Baseball Park through June 17 and can be purchased online at www.wsdash.com or by calling the Dash office at (336) 714-2287.