Winston-Salem Shuts Out Rome, 5-0

WINSTON-SALEM, NC (August 31st, 2023) - Following a tight victory on Wednesday night, the Winston-Salem Dash got a terrific start from Connor McCullough while a big fifth inning put away the Rome Braves, 5-0, Thursday night at Truist Stadium in front of 4,879 fans.

Winston-Salem (59-59) turned the ball over to right hander Connor McCullough making his 15th start on the year and did not disappoint. The Maumelle, Arkansas native worked a quick first inning allowing only one runner on a walk, and the Dash struck early in the bottom of the first.

Loidel Chapelli led off the game for the Dash drawing a walk against Rome (59-64) starter, Jhancarlos Lara. The Cuba native stole second and advance to third on a throwing error putting the first run 90 feet away for Jacob Burke. Burke battled at the plate and brought home Chapelli on a sacrifice fly giving the Dash the 1-0 lead.

The one run was all McCullough needed. After the walk in the first, the right hander sat down the next 13 batters he faced. The offense added insurance for the hard-working pitcher.

In the bottom of the third, Brooks Baldwin made Lara pay for a mistake crushing his third homer of the year to right doubling the Winston-Salem lead to 2-0. In the fifth, Caberea Weaver smoked his sixth long ball of the season to lead off the frame to left giving the Dash a 3-0 advantage. Winston-Salem wasn't done in the fifth. The Dash loaded the bases against Rome reliever, Tyree Thompson, and Bryce Willits delivered with a two-RBI single to left field building the lead to 5-0.

McCullough came back out for the sixth and had not allowed a hit yet. Stephen Paolini led off the inning picking up a base knock that popped out of the glove of a leaping Chapelli, ending the no-hitter bid in the sixth. McCullough wasted no time though retiring the next three batters getting through six innings allowing only one hit and striking out eight.

After the sixth, Dash manager Guillermo Quiroz went to the bullpen calling on Andrew Dalquist. The former 3rd round pick of the White Sox shoved over two innings, walking one and striking out two perserving the 5-0 lead going to the ninth.

In the top of the ninth, Rome put a few runners on, but Cole Duensing locked down the Braves, closing out the 5-0 shutout win.

With the win, Winston-Salem picks up its sixth shutout win on the season and takes a 2-1 series lead over the Braves.

The two sides meet for game four on Friday. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. from Truist Stadium.