Dash fall 10-8 to Bowling Green in Friday night slugfest

BOWLING GREEN, KY (June 9, 2023) — The Dash were hot offensively Friday night, but the Hot Rods were even hotter. Bowling Green pulled away with a 10-8 victory over Winston-Salem in game four of the series, moving to 3-1 in the six-game set.

Like Thursday night’s game, the Dash came firing out of the gates. With Loidel Chapelli and Michael Turner on first and second, Shawn Goosenberg launched a homer over the right field wall to give Winston-Salem a 3-0 lead in the top of the first.

In what would become a back-and-forth game though, the Hot Rods were quick to respond. Andrew Dalquist has had a rocky season so far on the mound, and those inconsistencies continued in game four.

In the bottom of the frame, Dalquist walked three of the first four batters he saw. With one out and the bases load, Dalquist couldn’t escape the jam as he issued a fourth consecutive walk to drive in Bowling Green’s Carson Williams.

The Dash were retired in order in the top of the second, and the Hot Rods quickly got back to work at the plate. With two runners aboard from a walk and a single, Williams clubbed a 3-run homer off Dalquist to pull ahead 4-3.

For the second time of the night, though, a leadoff walk for Tatum led to a score. Chapelli grounded out to move Tatum over to second, and Wilfred Veras ripped a single to center field to drive in Tatum for the tying run.

Nonetheless, Dalquist’s struggles continued into the bottom of the third. With one out and a runner on first, Kenny Piper knocked an RBI double to left field to give Bowling Green a 5-4 lead. But whenever the Hot Rods struck, the Dash found an answer.

In the top of the fourth, a passed ball by Piper behind the dish drove in Wes Kath and tied the game up at 5. Tatum was walked for the third time in the next at-bat, but Winston-Salem could only manage the one score.

Dalquist’s location remained an issue as he walked a pair of batters to lead off the bottom of the frame. His night was concluded after three innings of a four-hit, 6-run ball to go along with seven walks. Dylan Burns entered in relief and was able to keep the damage to a minimum.

With one out and runners on the corners, Willy Vasquez dropped a single in center field to give Bowling Green a 6-5 lead but Burns induced an inning-ending double play in the following at-bat.

For the third consecutive inning, the Dash worked a leadoff walk. Turner capitalized, ripping a double to right field to drive in Veras from first and knot the score yet again. Bowling Green couldn’t muster any offense in the bottom of the frame as Jalen Battles hit into the Hot Rods’ second straight inning-ending double play.

Winston-Salem struck out in order in the top of the sixth, and Kade Mechals was next out of the bullpen for the Dash. Mechals made quick work of Bowling Green and retired the side in order, marking the first time all game that both teams were held scoreless in an inning.

Bowling Green struck out the side in the top of the seventh and were then able to break through. With two outs and a runner on first, Piper drilled a 2-run shot to left field to give the Hot Rods an 8-6 advantage heading into the eighth.

Winston-Salem was held hitless for the third straight inning, and Jake Palisch entered on the mound in the bottom of the frame. He hit the first batter he saw, and things wouldn’t get any easier from there. With one out, Vasquez knocked a 2-run homer to left field to give the Hot Rods some insurance.

The Dash made things interesting and plated 2 runs in the top of the ninth courtesy of a throwing error from Piper, but it was all they could manage as Bowling Green ultimately sealed a 10-8 victory. Aneudy Cortorreal earned the win for the Hot Rods after spinning a pair of scoreless, five-strikeout innings.

Mechals was tabbed with the loss, his first of the year, and gave up 2 runs in his two innings of relief. The Dash fell behind 1-3 in the series and will need a win Saturday night to have a chance at a split. First pitch is set for 7:35 from Bowling Green Ballpark.