CarL1 Winston-Salem Dash

Shirek Helps Dash Split Doubleheader with P-Nats

Published on May 10, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release


Winston-Salem, NC - Charlie Shirek guided Winston-Salem to a 3-2 win in game two of a doubleheader split with Potomac on Sunday afternoon at Wake Forest Baseball Park. A Sean Rooney three-run home run in the seventh inning helped the Nationals steal a 5-4 win in the opener.

Winston-Salem (15-15) snared an early lead with three runs in the bottom of second inning in game two. Catcher Logan Johnson hit an RBI sacrifice fly with the bases loaded to bring the first run across the plate. Later in the inning, third baseman Dale Mollenhauer lined a two-run triple off Colton Willems to give the Dash a 3-0 advantage. That would be all the run support they would need.

Potomac trimmed their deficit to one in the top of the fourth inning assisted by a Dash error. With one out and runners on first and second, Michael Burgess hit a double-play ball that snuck past Dash shortstop Greg Paiml. Instead of ending the inning, the Nationals plated a run and added another on an RBI double by Sean Rooney.

That was as close as Potomac would get as Shirek (5-0) tossed 5. 2 innings and held the Nationals to two runs on three hits. He tied his season-high with eight strikeouts and is now tied for the Carolina League lead in wins with five. Dash closer Kevin Asselin, who joined the team from Extended Spring Training midway through game one, retired the final four batters in order to collect the save in his Carolina League debut.

Williams (1-1) suffered the loss after tossing a complete game and holding the Dash to three unearned runs on three hits.

In the opener, Potomac used an RBI single by Michael Burgess in the first inning to take an early 1-0 lead. Dash third baseman Brent Morel answered with a solo home run in the bottom of the second inning to knot the score at one. It was Morel's team-best seventh homer, which is the second most in the Carolina League.

The Nationals regained a one-run lead with the long ball in the third inning as Francisco Plasencia lined a solo hot over the left field wall. Once again, Winston-Salem would counter this time aided by a Potomac miscue. Adam Ricks hit a pop fly in foul territory that was dropped by third baseman Stephen King for an error. On the next pitch, Ricks deposited a Tom Milone fastball over the left field fence to tie the game at two.

The Dash would take their first lead of the game in the fifth inning when outfielder Jordan Danks blasted a two-out, two-run home run off Milone to put Winston-Salem in front 4-2. Potomac rallied back in the top of the seventh inning against Dash starting pitcher Levi Maxwell. King walked to lead off and Dan Nelson reached on a single when his fly ball to right field was lost in the sun by Salvador Sanchez. Sean Rooney followed with a three-run shot to give the Nationals a 5-4 lead.

Milone and Nationals reliever Clint Everts would make the rally stand in sending the Potomac to their ninth consecutive win. Milone (2-2) collected the win while holding the Dash to four runs (three earned) on six hit in 6.1 innings pitcher. Everts recorded the final two outs to garner his first save of the season. Winston-Salem starting pitcher Levi Maxwell (0-5) suffered his fifth straight defeat after surrendering five runs on seven hits in six innings of work.

After an off-day on Monday, Winston-Salem will continue their home stand with the opener of a three-game series against Lynchburg on Tuesday morning at Wake Forest Baseball Park. The Dash will send RHP Johnnie Lowe (2-0, 3.68) to the mound, while the Hillcats will counter with RHP Matt McSwain (1-1, 5.40). The first pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.

Single-game tickets are also available for games at Wake Forest Baseball Park through June 17 and can be purchased online at www.wsdash.com or by calling the Dash office at (336) 714-2287.

Check out the Winston-Salem Dash Statistics

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Carolina League Stories from May 10, 2009


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