Dash Split Doubleheader with Hillcats
August 29, 2009 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
Winston-Salem, NC - Chase d'Arnuad lifted Lynchburg to a 2-1 win in game one before Joe Persichina powered Winston-Salem to a 9-7 victory in the nightcap as the two playoff bound teams split a doubleheader on Saturday night at Wake Forest Baseball Park.
The Dash grabbed an early lead in the opener when Tyler Kuhn led off the bottom of the first with a double and was bunted over to third. Brent Morel laced a two-out RBI single to put Winton-Salem in front 1-0. The Hillcats evened the score in the top of the second when Matt Hague led off with a solo home run off Dylan Axelrod.
The score remained tied at one until Lynchburg pushed across the winning run against Nate Jones in the top of the seventh inning. Chase d'Arnaud, who went 4-for-4 in game one, led off with a double and a sacrifice bunt by Alex Presley advanced him to third. Jordy Mercer delivered an RBI sacrifice fly to right field that put the Hillcats ahead 2-1.
Lynchburg starter Rudy Owens was kept on a tight pitch count and only went two innings and allowed one run. He turned it over to Matt McSwain (11-8), who tossed four shutout innings and held Winston-Salem to two hits to collect the win. R.J Rodriguez recorded the final three outs to collect his league-leading 27th save of the season.
Axelrod scattered nine hits over five innings and held the Hillcats to one run, but did not factor in the decision. Jones (1-1) allowed the go-ahead run in his two innings of work and suffered the loss.
Once again, the Dash jumped out to an early lead in the first inning of the nightcap thanks to a defensive mistake. Dale Mollenhauer singled off Bryan Morris to begin the frame and Greg Paiml followed with a walk. One out later, Morel hit into a fielder's choice at second base, but d'Arnaud's rely throw to first was errant and allowed Mollenhauer to score.
The Hillcats answered in the op of the second inning against Anthony Carter. Jamie Romak led off with a double and Matt Hague was hit by a pitch. Carter retired the next two batters on shallow fly balls, but Eric Fryer prevented Carter from getting out of the inning unscathed when he belted a three run home run to give Lynchburg a 3-1 advantage.
The lead was short-lived as the Dash broke the game open with a six-run third inning. Paiml doubled with one out and scored on an RBI single from Salvador Sanchez, who returned to the lineup after missing over two weeks while on the disabled list. One out later, Seth Loman, who tallied three hits and two RBI, connected on a run-scoring single to knot the score at three. The rally continued as Morris walked the next two batters to load the bases and Persichina brought all three runners home with a double. A throwing error by Josh Harrison at third base on a potential inning-ending ground ball allowed Persichina to score from second and hand Winston-Salem an 8-3 lead.
The Hillcats refused to go down quietly as they clawed within a run when d'Arnaud and Jordy Mercer blasted two-run home runs off Carter in the top of the fifth inning to trim their deficit to 8-7. For Carter, it was his league-high 20th home run allowed. He was pulled after just 4.1 innings and allowed seven runs on just five hits.
The Dash bullpen thwarted the rally as Charlis Burdie (3-1) worked 1.2 scoreless innings to garner the win and Santo Luis retired the side in order in the bottom of the seventh to pick up his 14th save of the season. Morris (4-8) did not make it out of the third inning and was charged with seven runs (four earned) on seven hits with four walks to take the loss.
Persichina, who finished 3-for-3 with two runs and two RBI in game two, singled with out in the sixth inning and stole second. After a Kent Gerst single moved him to third, Persichina scored on a Mollenhauer ground out to finalize the scoring. The offensive output was the most runs scored by the Dash since they defeated Kinston 10-5 on July 28.
These two teams will conclude this three-game series when they meet for the final time during the regular season on Sunday evening at Wake Forest Baseball Park. The Dash will send LHP Justin Edwards (5-2, 4.01) to the mound, while the Hillcats will counter with RHP Nate Adcock (3-1, 3.50). The first pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.
The Winston-Salem Dash has teamed up with the Second Harvest Food Bank to strike out hunger on Thursday, September 3 when they host the Salem Red Sox at Wake Forest Baseball Park. The Dash is offering a special ticket price of $5 to everyone associated with Second Harvest Food Bank and all fans that support their mission. Anyone who donates a nonperishable food item at the game on September 3rd will receive this special $5 ticket offer.
For more information on all the upcoming promotions or to purchase single-game tickets, visit www.wsdash.com or by call the Dash office at (336) 714-2287.
Carolina League Stories from August 29, 2009
- Hillcats split doubleheader - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Waring Hits His 26th Homerun of the Season in Frederick Win - Frederick Keys
- Nats Epic Comeback Falls Short in Kinston - Potomac Nationals
- Wilmington Allows Three-Run Advantage to Slip Away - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Red Sox Overcome 3-0 Deficit to Knock Off Blue Rocks Saturday Night - Salem Red Sox
- Cody Johnson provides the power in a losing effort - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Dash Split Doubleheader with Hillcats - Winston-Salem Dash
- P-Nats Game Notes for August 29 - Potomac Nationals
- Hillcats Game Notes for August 29 - Lynchburg Hillcats
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