CarL1 Winston-Salem Dash

Warthogs Fight Off Late Blue Rocks to Claim Third Straight Win

Published on June 21, 2008 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release


WINSTON-SALEM, NC - The Winston-Salem Warthogs fought off a late Wilmington rally to claim their third straight win with a 10-8 decision over the Blue Rocks on Saturday night at Ernie Shore Field. A Jeff Bianchi two-run homer off Matt Davis capped off a four-run ninth inning for Wilmington, but it was not enough to overcome a Winston-Salem attack that pounded out 15 hits led by Paulo Orlando, who tallied a season-high five hits.

Winston-Salem struck first as John Shelby III hit a two-run home run off Matt Kniginyzky in the first inning to stake the Warthogs to a 2-0 lead. It was Shelby's 8th home run of the season and first since May 29. The Blue Rocks cut the deficit in half in the second inning when Bianchi led off with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly by Anthony Seratelli.

A solo home run by Jeff Howell knotted the game at two in the top of the third inning. The Warthogs jumped back in front with a pair of runs in the third inning on RBI singles by Brandon Allen and C.J. Retherford to give Winston-Salem a 4-2 lead.

Shelby III, who went 2-for-4 with 4 RBI, struck again in the fifth inning with a two-run double to extend the Warthogs advantage to 6-2. The Blue Rocks plated a run in the seventh and another in the eighth against Steven Spurgeon when runners on third base scored on passed balls.

The Warthogs offense never ceased as they answered every threat with a run of their own as Salvador Sanchez added an RBI single in seventh inning. Three more runs in the eighth would prove vital as Orlando tacked on an RBI single to give Winston-Salem a 10-4 lead going into the ninth inning.

Warthogs starting pitcher Anthony Carter (1-0) went six innings and held the Blue Rocks to two runs on five hits to earn his first Carolina League win. Kniginyzky (2-7) was smacked around for six runs on 11 hits in 5 2/3 innings of work to take the loss for Wilmington.

The Warthogs and Blue Rocks will conclude their three-game series on Sunday afternoon at Ernie Shore Field. Winston-Salem will start RHP Matt Long (3-8, 5.310, while Wilmington is expected to go with LHP Gilbert De La Vara (3-3, 3.70). First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. and will serve as the final game prior to the All-Star break.

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Carolina League Stories from June 21, 2008


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