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Dash set to square off with Aberdeen in series finale matinee

Winston-Salem looks to snap a four-game losing streak
May 21, 2023

WINSTON-SALEM, NC (May 21, 2023) — Riding a four-game losing streak, the Winston-Salem Dash look to nab a win in Sunday afternoon’s series finale against the Aberdeen IronBirds. The Dash, who trail 1-4 in the series homestand, currently sit 3.5 games ahead of the Rome Braves in the top of

WINSTON-SALEM, NC (May 21, 2023) — Riding a four-game losing streak, the Winston-Salem Dash look to nab a win in Sunday afternoon’s series finale against the Aberdeen IronBirds. The Dash, who trail 1-4 in the series homestand, currently sit 3.5 games ahead of the Rome Braves in the top of the South Atlantic League South.

Saturday night, despite plating 4 runs in three innings off Aberdeen’s Jean Pinto, the Dash bullpen couldn’t hold on in the middle innings, as a 6-run top of the sixth proved enough to drop Winston-Salem 12-5. Seven Dash players had hits, and four compiled multi-hit outings.

What to Watch in Game 6

The Dash starters have performed admirably this series, and that shouldn’t change in Saturday’s matinee. Southpaw Brooks Gosswein will be getting the start for Winston-Salem, and the 24-year-old has been one of the team’s most consistent starters this season.

Gosswein possesses a 2.76 ERA with 29 strikeouts in 29.1 innings pitched. He is currently conceding the lowest batting average of his career at .198, and his strikeout numbers are on pace for a career-high mark, as well.

In each of the last three games, no Dash starter has surrendered more than 2 runs. Gosswein has the ability to keep that streak alive and propel Winston-Salem to its first win in five days.

Daniel Federman is set to take the mound for Aberdeen. The 6’1 University of Miami product possesses a 5.53 ERA in 27.2 innings pitched. His strikeout numbers stand out, as he has wiped out 38 batters and has a career-high 12.36 K/9.

His opposing batting average is also the lowest it’s been at .238. Nonetheless, his walk rate is up a tick from his previous two seasons, as the righty has issued eight walks for a career-worst 2.60 BB/9. The Dash got a look at Federman and had high success in game one of the series, scoring 7 runs in four innings off the 24-year-old.

Keys for the Dash

The story of the series for the Dash has been inconsistency. Quality pitching and hitting performances haven’t quite been synchronous since game one, and Winston-Salem will need strong outings from the bullpen and run support through the middle innings.

The top half of the lineup returned to form Saturday night, and Wilfred Veras was especially effective. The cleanup man went 3-5 and continued to display his prowess as an extra-base hit machine, tallying a pair of doubles to extend his league-leading mark to 18.

While the Dash have largely been tamed by the IronBirds’ relievers, they have a chance to turn the tide Saturday afternoon and create some momentum for the next series. If Gosswein can give Winston-Salem a strong start, the offense is more than capable of backing him up to steal a game-six victory.

First pitch is set for 2 p.m. from Truist Stadium, and Lowes Foods will be presenting Lowes Foods Family Sunday. Additionally, Daggett Shuler is presenting Daggett Shuler Kids Run the Bases, where kids 12 and under are invited to stay after the game to run the bases.