Pelicans Push Past Dash in 12 Innings
Published on June 8, 2011 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
MYRTLE BEACH, SC (JUNE 8, 2011) - Mitch Hilligoss capped a four-hit night with a walk-off RBI double in the 12th inning to send the Pelicans to a 5-4 win on Wednesday night at BB&T Coastal Field. The nearly four-hour affair ended in disappointment for the Dash, who rallied from a 4-0 deficit late in the ballgame to force extra innings.
Winston-Salem (28-31) had a chance to go ahead in the top of the 12th inning after Ian Gac and Andy Wilkins both singled with one out, but Kennil Gomez retired the last two batters of the frame to get the Pelicans (34-25) to the bottom of the inning still tied.
With one out in the decisive inning, Leury Garcia drew his third walk of the night against Dash reliever Leroy Hunt. The next batter, Hilligoss, got ahead 3-0, only to see Hunt battle back to run the count full. After a foul, Hilligoss hit a fly ball over Jose Martinez' head in right field and Garcia, one of the fastest Pelicans players, scored easily from first base to win it for Myrtle Beach.
The Pelicans got off to a quick start against Dash starter Andre Rienzo, striking for two runs in the first inning. Garcia led off with a double and got to third base on a wild pitch. Hilligoss followed with a walk and then Ryan Strausborger hit a chopper to third baseman Austin Yount. Garcia was caught up in a rundown between third base and home plate, but kept the play alive long enough for both of the other baserunners to get into scoring position. Chris McGuinness and Zach Zaneski both followed with RBI singles to give the Pelicans a 2-0 lead.
The Pelicans added another run in the second on Hilligoss' RBI single to make it 3-0.
The game stayed that way until the sixth inning, when the Dash fell further behind and also lost their manager. Garcia tried to steal third base with two outs and Strausborger batting. Strasborger took a strike and appeared to inadvertently obstruct catcher Mike Blanke's throwing lane to third base. Blanke's throw was late and Julio Vinas came out of the dugout to argue for an out via batter's interference. After the protest fell on deaf ears, Vinas became increasingly demonstrative over his displeasure with the call and was ejected. When play resumed, Strausborger lined the next pitch to left field to score Garcia and give the Pelicans a four-run lead.
The ejection seemed to spark Winston-Salem in the top of the seventh. Yount tripled with one out and scored when Daniel Wagner reached on an error by second baseman Andres James. Wagner later scored on a base hit by Jared Mitchell to cut the deficit to two.
The Dash tied things up in the eighth inning. Gac doubled off Zach Osborne to start the frame, prompting a pitching change for Myrtle. Lefty Joseph Ortiz proceeded to walk Wilkins and both runners were sacrificed into scoring position. Later in the frame, Gac scored from third on a wild pitch and Wilkins tied the game when he scored on Wagner's RBI double. Winston had a chance to go ahead that inning, but new pitcher Johan Yan retired Tyler Saladino on a groundout to keep the go-ahead run at second base.
The Pelicans had legitimate opportunities to win it in the eighth and tenth innings, but both times left the winning run at third base. Myrtle left 17 baserunners aboard, but was still able to pull out the win, its first of the series.
Gomez (2-0) got the win for working a scoreless 12th while Hunt (1-1) suffered the defeat.
The game lasted three hours and 54 minutes, the longest game of the season for Winston-Salem. The Dash lost by a 5-4 margin in 12 innings at Myrtle Beach for the second time in exactly seven weeks. They suffered the same fate at BB&T Coastal Field on April 20 of this season.
The series concludes on Thursday night when RHP Ryan Buch (1-1, 4.08) takes the mound for Winston against RHP Barret Loux (4-3, 3.90). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. with the audio broadcast starting at 6:45 on www.wsdash.com .
The Dash return to BB&T Ballpark for the final home stand of the first half on Friday at 7:05 p.m. against the Wilmington Blue Rocks. The game will be televised on WXII's THIS Carolina channel that evening.
Fans may purchase tickets for every game this season by calling the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or by visiting www.wsdash.com .
Carolina League Stories from June 8, 2011
- Hilligoss Gives Pelicans Wild Walk-Off - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Pelicans Push Past Dash in 12 Innings - Winston-Salem Dash
- Rocks Offense Back into Hibernation During Lopsided Loss - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Ranaudo Deals Gem, Sox Down Cats 6-1 - Salem Red Sox
- Injuries Do Not Hinder Keys - Frederick Keys
- 'Cats Quieted at Home - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Kinston Beats the Blue Rocks 9-1 - Kinston Indians
- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes - Winston-Salem Dash
- K-Tribe Homestand this Friday Through Wednesday - Kinston Indians
- 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.
