Dash Take Game One of "Battle of I-40" 6-3

GREENSBORO, N.C. (June 1, 2021) — The Winston-Salem Dash picked up a 6-3 victory in game one of a six-game series versus Greensboro, taking down the Grasshoppers on the back of four homeruns.

The Dash came out with hot bats, putting up one run or more in each of the first four innings. Ian Dawkins made a name for himself early, becoming the first Dash player to slug a leadoff homer since July of 2019. Alex Destino fashioned a homer of his own to contribute to the early offensive barrage, putting the Dash up 2-0. Winston-Salem put up another run in the second, as Duke Ellis singled and stole second base and was driven in on a single from Dawkins to put the Dash up 3-0.

Greensboro answered in the home half of the second frame, as Fabricio Macias singled, stole a base and came home on an errant throw to third by catcher Evan Skoug to put the Hoppers on the board 3-1.

The Dash extended their lead in the third as Luis Curbelo drew a walk and took third on a deep drive to the left field corner by Yolbert Sanchez. Curbelo touched home and scored on a sacrifice fly to left from Johan Cruz. In the fourth, A.J. Gill made a splash in his 2021 Dash debut by sending one over the right-center field wall to put Winston-Salem ahead 5-1.

Righthanded starter Davis Martin (2-1) ran into trouble in the fourth, as Jared Triolo was called safe at first on a dropped ball by A.J. Gill. Hoppers’ catcher Grant Koch stepped up and blasted a two-run shot over the left field wall to close in on the Dash 5-3.

Destino kept the bat rolling after hitting another solo bomb over the right field wall in the seventh inning. The home run, putting the Dash up 6-3, marked the first multi-home run game of the season for a Winston-Salem player and the 48th multi-home run game in team history.

The Dash bullpen, comprised of Trey Jeans, Luke Shilling, and Lane Ramsey, came in with the strength of an ox, fanning eight batters and allowing three walks. Jeans (1-0) earned his first victory of the season, and Lane Ramsey struck out the side in the ninth to secure his second save of the year. Quinn Priester was handed the loss, his third on the year.

The Dash (13-12) took game one of the newly-minted “Battle of I-40”, 6-3. The victory secures sole possession of fourth place in the High-A East South division.

Winston-Salem and Greensboro go head-to-head Wednesday afternoon with a scheduled 12:00 p.m. first pitch. Jeremiah Burke (1-2) gets the start for the Dash, while Braxton Ashcraft (1-0) will be handed the ball for the Hoppers. Coverage begins at 11:45 a.m. and can be listened to on https://www.milb.com/winston-salem/team/broadcast-corner.