Hankerd Heroic Again in Late Dash Rally
Published on August 3, 2012 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
WINSTON-SALEM, NC - For the second straight night, Cyle Hankerd's bases-clearing base hit proved to be the difference in the Dash's 6-4 victory over the Potomac Nationals in the first of three Friday night in front of 6,102 fans at BB&T Ballpark.
With the game tied at three apiece in the seventh, the Dash (24-17, 68-42-1) loaded the bases with two outs thanks to a pair of walks and catcher's interference against Potomac reliever Ryan Demmin (1-2). Hankerd crushed a three-run triple off the top of the wall in right field to chase home all three runners and give the Dash a 6-3 advantage. Hankerd laced a go-ahead three-run double down the left field line to help the Dash best Wilmington by the same score 24 hours earlier.
Potomac (20-21, 51-60) jumped out to an early lead thanks to a pair of solo homers. Adrian Sanchez went yard in the first, and Steven Souza, Jr., replicated the feat one frame later.
Mike Blanke put the Dash on the board with an RBI single in the bottom of the second, but the P-Nats responded with another tally in the fifth to regain a two-run cushion.
The Dash mustered single tallies in the fifth and sixth. Juan Silverio singled and scored in the fifth frame, while Blanke registered his second run-producing knock of the night to tie the contest.
The Nationals pulled within two with an eighth-inning run, but Dash pitching preserved the lead and the victory. Winston starter Steve McCray turned in his fourth quality start in 12 tries this season, working through six innings and allowing three runs on five hits.
Out of the bullpen, J.R. Ballinger (1-2) worked a clean seventh and retired a man in the eighth for his first win. Taylor Thompson recorded the final five outs for his eighth save in as many chances this season.
With the victory, the Dash improved to 8-0 against the Nationals at BB&T Ballpark this season. In fact, the P-Nats have yet to win in the state of North Carolina this season. Potomac is also winless in six tries at Five County Stadium, the home of the Carolina Mudcats.
Winston and Potomac continue this weekend series Saturday night at 7:00. Scott Snodgress (1-0, 0.75 ERA), who has whiffed 17 batters over 12 innings in his first two High-A starts, toes the rubber for the Dash against fellow southpaw Robbie Ray (4-7, 5.19 ERA). Pre-game coverage begins at 6:45 on wsdash.com.
To secure your seats for the Dash's current homestand, which stretches through Sunday afternoon, call the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.
Carolina League Stories from August 3, 2012
- Coyle's Blast Helps Sox Surpass Rocks 7-5 - Salem RidgeYaks
- Coyle's Homer Pushes Salem to Victory - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Pelicans Retire Final 20 Keys in 4-1 Win - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Hankerd Heroic Again in Late Dash Rally - Winston-Salem Dash
- Carolina Blues: P-Nats Fall 6-4 in Winston-Salem - Potomac Nationals
- Hillcats Pounce Late for 7-2 Win - Carolina Mudcats
- Schlosser Snaps Scoreless Streak, Hillcats Win 7-2 - Hill City Howlers
- Bats Stifled in 4-1 Defeat - Frederick Keys
- Fields Named Topps Player of the Month - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Blue Rocks Game Notes - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- August 10th Is '70s Night at the Pfitz - Potomac Nationals
- Potomac Catcher David Freitas Traded to Oakland - Potomac Nationals
- Mudcats Make Roster Moves - Carolina Mudcats
- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Hill City Howlers
- Myrtle Beach Pelicans Add Video Webcasts for Home Games - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Salem Splits Two Thursday Decisions at Potomac - Salem RidgeYaks
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