Dash Even Series with 2-1 Win Over Rome

WINSTON-SALEM, NC (August 30th, 2023) - Runs were at a premium in game two as the Winston-Salem Dash only needed two runs in the bottom of the seventh to come away with a 2-1 victory over the Rome Braves Wednesday night at Truist Stadium in front of 2,513 fans.

Making only his second start at home in 2023, Winston-Salem (58-59) starter Norge Vera threw well over the first two innings, and left in the third inning while still building back up from a long stint on the injured list. The Dash went to southpaw Brooks Gosswein who finished off the third and ate up the middle innings for Winston-Salem.

Rome (59-63) starter Spencer Schwellenbach held the Dash bats at bay on the other side, as Winston-Salem only mounted two hits against the right hander across five innings. Gosswein continued to silence the Braves' bats and the two sides went to the seventh tied at zero.

Gosswein departed and Vince Vanelle made quick work of Rome in the top of the frame, and in the bottom half, the Dash broke the deadlock.

Brooks Baldwin led off the inning with a single and quickly moved to third after DJ Gladney doubled to center putting the game's first runs in scoring position. After a groundout and strikeout, Rome was an out away from getting out of a jam. Bryce Willits hit a grounder to Braves shortstop Ignacio Alvarez who short hopped the throw to first skipping out of play and allowing both runners to score giving Winston-Salem the first lead of the night, 2-0.

Vanelle returned for the eighth and Rome started to chip away. The visitors pushed across a run on a groundout, but Vanelle stranded the tying run at third keeping the lead intact, 2-1.

Winston-Salem went down quickly in the eighth, and Johnny Ray came in for the ninth looking for the save. It wasn't easy for Ray, as he loaded the bases with no outs, but he dialed in after that. Ray punched out the next two batters he faced and with two outs, got Kadon Morton to pop out with the bases loaded to close out the Braves, 2-1.

With the win, the Dash even the series with the Braves, 1-1, and meet for game three on Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. from Truist Stadium.