Dash Down Asheville, 13-8

ASHEVILLE, NC (April 18, 2023) – After taking five games in a six-game set against the Brooklyn Cyclones at Truist Stadium, the Winston-Salem Dash hit the road for the second time this season to see the Asheville Tourists. The bats made the trip as well. Winston-Salem had a season-high 18 hits, including six multi-hit performances, as the Dash took game one of the six-game set against Asheville, 13-8, at McCormick Field Tuesday night in front of 2,311 fans.

In the top of the first, Winston-Salem (6-2) jumped out to a fast lead with two outs. Wes Kath drove in the game’s first run on an RBI single to right bringing in DJ Gladney to give the Dash the early 1-0 advantage.

Winston-Salem was not done. The Dash tacked on two more runs against Asheville (3-5) starter Brayan De Paula. Shawn Goosenberg scored Wilfred Veras on an infield single, and Jason Matthews walked with the bases loaded, making it 3-0.

Jonathan Cannon got the start for the Dash working a scoreless first and second inning. Winston-Salem grew its lead in the top of the third to four after Matthews picked up his second RBI on the evening on a double to center plating Goosenberg.

The Tourists responded getting a run back in both the third and fourth off Cannon, cutting the Winston-Salem lead in half, 4-2. Cannon continued to battle on the mound, and the offense repaid him.

Once again with two outs in an inning, the Dash rallied. Following a Veras double putting two runners in scoring position, Kath got his second RBI on the night on a single to center scoring Gladney, building the back to three. Goosenberg two pitches later brought home Veras, extending the lead to four, 6-2. After Kath scored on a wild pitch, Winston-Salem was in control leading 7-2.

With the run support, Cannon worked into his sixth inning, allowing one more run after a Logan Cerny double drove in Collin Price, but the right-hander limited the threat, keeping it a 7-3 game. Cannon’s night was over after the sixth, going six innings, allowing three runs and striking out five.

With a four-run lead heading into the final three frames, Winston-Salem wanted more. In the seventh, Terrell Tatum doubled Taishi Nakawake home pushing the lead to five, 8-3.

The Dash came into Tuesday evening leading all of High-A in home runs with 12, but through six innings had yet to hit a long ball, until Veras stepped to the plate. On a 2-0 pitch, he smacked a three-run home run to center field putting Winston-Salem in front comfortably, 11-3.

In the top of the ninth, Goosenberg wanted to join the party. The first baseman ripped his second homer of the season and the Dash led by 10, 13-3.

Asheville put up five in the ninth, but the lead was insurmountable, as the Dash took game one in Asheville, 13-8.

Winston-Salem plated a season high 13 runs on 18 hits and went 7-for-14 with runners in scoring position.

Goosenberg led the Dash Tuesday night with a four-hit performance, driving in four runs. Gladney, Veras and Matthews all recorded three-hit nights, while Kath and Alsander Womack both picked up two knocks.

The Dash try to make it four wins a row Wednesday night against the Tourists in Asheville. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. from McCormick Field.