Ciolli Grand Slam Makes SportsCenter
Published on August 3, 2011 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
WINSTON-SALEM, NC (AUGUST 3, 2011) - For the third time in the last month, the Dash's Nick Ciolli made a play that was featured on ESPN SportCenter's "Top Ten" plays of the night. Ciolli's inside-the-park grand slam last night against the Wilmington Blue Rocks was ranked Tuesday's seventh best play on the 1 a.m. edition of SportsCenter. The video of the slam, along with audio from Dash broadcaster Andrew Africk, can be viewed at http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/multimedia/vpp.jsp'sid=t580
The exciting play occurred in the bottom of the third inning last night against the Blue Rocks with the Dash trailing 2-0. With the bases loaded and two outs, Ciolli worked the count full against Tyler Sample before driving the payoff pitch to deep right center field. The ball struck at a sharp angle off the top of the wall and bounced away from outfielders Yem Prades and Nick Van Stratten. With all three runners aboard scoring, manager and third base coach Julio Vinas waved Ciolli homeward. Van Stratten's throw bounced off the top of the mound and up the third base line, allowing Ciolli to score standing up to complete the inside-the-park-grand slam.
The blast gave the Dash a 4-2 lead and Winston-Salem went on to win 6-4 for its seventh consecutive victory. The slam was the Dash's first of the season and it marked the first inside-the-park home run in BB&T Ballpark history. It was Ciolli's eighth home run, giving him 40 RBI this season.
Ciolli was featured on SportsCenter and a variety of other ESPN and MLB Network programming for robbing home runs on back-to-back nights last month. He toppled completely over the short right field wall to take a home run away from Salem's David Mailman on July 5 and robbed a grand slam from Myrtle Beach's Travis Adair the next night on a nearly identical play (though Ciolli was able to keep his body in the field of play). The catches ranked second and fifth, respectively, on SportsCenter's Top Ten and were discussed on Pardon the Interruption and Sports Nation.
The Dash look to run their win streak to eight games and win their fourth consecutive series tonight against Wilmington at 7 p.m. Fans may purchase tickets by calling the Dash at (336) 714-2287, visiting www.wsdash.com, or stopping by the BB&T Ballpark box office.
The Winston-Salem Dash are the Class-A Advanced minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. To purchase tickets and for more information, please call 336-714-2287 or visit www.wsdash.com .
Carolina League Stories from August 3, 2011
- Keys Dropped by 'Cats - Frederick Keys
- Eight-Run Fifth Propels Sox Past Nats 10-1 - Salem Red Sox
- Offense Invisible Again in 10-1 Loss - Potomac Nationals
- Big Fourth Frame Carries Rocks to 6-2 Win - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Masters Impressive, 'Cats Cruise 7-1 - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Rocks Snap Winning Streak, Beat Dash 6-2 - Winston-Salem Dash
- Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes - Winston-Salem Dash
- White Sox Release Gilbert - Winston-Salem Dash
- Late Replacement Pickens Lifts Tribe - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Orioles Name Bundy Pitcher of the Month - Frederick Keys
- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Indians Surge ahead in Seventh to Earn 5-3 Win - Kinston Indians
- Ciolli Grand Slam Makes SportsCenter - Winston-Salem Dash
- The Famous San Diego Chicken to Appear at Red Sox Game Saturday, August 13 - Salem Red Sox
- Pelicans Game Notes - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
