Hawkins Helps Winston Smother Salem 7-1

Salem, VA (April 26, 2014) - Courtney Hawkins finished with five RBI, three of which came on a line-drive homer that broke it open, as the Dash downed the Red Sox 7-1 on Saturday night at LewisGale Field. Winston scored an unearned run in the top of the first and led wire-to-wire, with the Salem sticks mustering just one unearned run on five hits. Dash righty Mike Recchia struck out seven in six strong innings to earn the win, squelching Salem's four-game winning streak in the process.

Sox starter William Cuevas suffered the loss, permitting four runs (three earned) over five innings. Although he never set down the side in order, Cuevas bounced back from an ugly third to work his way through the fourth and fifth.

Winston's offense used two infield singles and a throwing error on a stolen base to score its first run in the opening frame, as Hawkins dribbler toward third plated Tim Anderson from third. Two innings later, Hawkins picked up an RBI on a bases loaded hit-by-pitch, forcing in Jacob May. Keon Barnum forced in Anderson by drawing a bases loaded walk, and Adam Heisler scored on Jason Coats 4-6-3 double play ground out.

Down 4-0, the Sox secured an unearned run on Aneury Tavarez' ground out in the last of the fourth, with Carson Blair coming across to score Salem's only tally. Ryan Dent collected two hits, including Salem's only extra-base hit, and a walk, but the Sox went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position, failing to capitalize on what few chances they had.

Hawkins delivered the knockout punch with a three-run missile over the left-field fence off Simon Mercedes in the top of the seventh, doubling the Winston lead to 7-1. Hawkins now has belted six homers on the year, four of which have come against the Salem Sox.

Salem and Winston will continue their four-game series on Sunday afternoon at 4:05, with Luis Diaz and J.B Wendelken scheduled to oppose each other on the hill.