Rome Takes Game Three Late over Winston-Salem, 8-7

ROME, GA (August 10th, 2023) – The Winston-Salem Dash put the tying run on base in the top of the ninth inning but dropped game three of a six-game series against the Rome Braves, 8-7, Thursday night at AdventHealth Stadium.

For the second night in a row, Rome (48-57) jumped out to an early lead scoring a run in the first inning and plating four in the bottom of the second taking an early 5-0 lead.

In the fourth inning, Winston-Salem (47-53) got all five runs back. The Dash loaded the bases with two outs in the frame, and catcher Troy Claunch drew a walk bringing home a run, making it 5-1. Two pitches later, Caberea Weaver launched his second grand slam of the campaign to right tying the game at five.

The tie was short lived as the Braves pushed across two runs in the bottom of the fourth and led 7-5 until the seventh inning.

With one out in the seventh, Brooks Baldwin and Bryce Willits both singled putting the tying runs on base. DJ Gladney, who picked up three RBI on Wednesday, delivered again for Winston-Salem. He laced a triple to center field bringing home both runners and again the two sides were tied, 7-7.

In the eighth, the Dash threatened but could not push across a run, and in the bottom of the frame, Keshawn Ogans gave Rome the lead on a sacrifice fly, and the home side went to the ninth with a lead for the second night in a row.

Down to its final three outs, Winston-Salem was searching for another big ninth inning. After Willits singled to open the inning, it looked like there was more magic for the Dash, but Rome’s Jonathan Hughes retired the next three batters he faced as the Braves took game three, 8-7.

Claunch, Gladney, Weaver and Willits all recorded multi-hit outings with Willits picking up a three-hit game, while Gladney and Weaver notched multi-RBI performances.

Winston-Salem trails Rome in the six-game series, 2-1, and try to even up the series on Friday. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. from AdventHealth Stadium.