SAL Winston-Salem Dash

Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes (May 14)

Published on May 14, 2021 under South Atlantic League (SAL)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release


The Dash take on Hickory for the fourth game in a six-game set tonight. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m..

Winston-Salem Dash vs. HICKORY CRAWDADS

RHP Isaiah Carranza (0-1, 3.00 ERA) vs. LHP Grant Wolfram (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

7:00 p.m. - L.P. Frans Stadium (Hickory, NC)

Game #10

BILOUS FRIES UP CRAWDADS

Jason Bilous earned the first win for any Dash starting pitcher this season in a sterling effort against Hickory in Thursday's game. Bilous fanned ten batters in the win, allowing just two hits and one earned run over five dominant innings. The 10-K performance was the first by a Dash pitcher since Konnor Pilkington in 2019, when he struck out 12 in a road start against Down East in the now-defunct Carolina League.

Bilous also topped his own early-season mark for longest no-hit bid carried by a Dash pitcher, pitching 3.1 perfect innings before a one-out single broke up the streak.

Through two starts, Bilous has struck out 18, while maintaining a 1.86 ERA in 9.2 innings of work. The right-hander split time between the rotation and out of the bullpen in 2019, but with starts like this, figures to solidify his spot in the starting rotation moving forward.

INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING: GRANT WOLFRAM

One of the taller players in the High-A East League, lefty Grant Wolfram suits up for Hickory as their Friday night starter. The 6'7" lefty was a key member of the Hickory pitching staff that made the league championship series and has made adjustments during the extended offseason to up his pitch repertoire.

Like many, Wolfram spent the offseason in the weight room, conditioning and improving his diet. Mechanically, it was what Wolfram did to his fastball that may make the biggest difference in 2021. After analyzing his pitching motion, Wolfram noticed he had a tendency to get to the side of his fastball, not staying behind the pitch to give it the desired spin and movement. In order to achieve this, Wolfram worked on shifting further weight to his back hip, focusing on the back-leg drive to yield better results. The idea is to spin the ball better while maintaining overall pitching accuracy.

The adjustment is paying dividends in 2021. Though just one start, Wolfram is maxing out at 95 miles per hour, and did not allow a run in his three-inning first start.

NEVER TOO EARLY

In the midst of the season series of 2021, the Dash stand just two games behind first-place Bowling Green and Rome. While the Dash are familiar with the Braves, the Bowling Green Hot Rods continue to sail through the early parts of their schedule. With one of the top offenses in High-A, Bowling Green figures to be a difficult team to beat in any series.

A half-game up on the Dash, Asheville has played one fewer game than the Dash, Hickory, and Greensboro, giving them a slim edge in the standings. In last is Greenville, who drew a difficult Bowling Green team in their first series matchup and have dropped two of three to Brooklyn.

FEW RUNS? NO PROBLEM!

Through the first series of the season, the Dash offense racked up ample hits and scoring chances - ranking within the top 10 in the High-A East League in both categories. Facing Hickory has been a different story. The Crawdads pitching has silenced the Dash bats, allowing 10 total runs in three games - with seven of those runs coming in the opening game of the series.

While the hitting has suffered, the pitching has rounded into top form. Not only have the Dash starters continued their excellent work, but the relievers have also not allowed a run in their last 13 innings. Bouncing back in yesterday's game was Caleb Freeman, who earned his first save of the season one appearance after being charged with a blown save in an eventual win against Rome.

A GLANCE AHEAD

Davis Martin, the Dash's Opening Day starter, earns the starting nod from Ryan Newman for a Saturday showdown with Hickory. Martin is making his third start after an uneven first starter and a smoother second outing.

For the 'Dads, southpaw Avery Weems is set to start for Hickory for the second time. Traded to the Rangers by White Sox for RHP Lance Lynn, Weems will face the organization that drafted him in the 6th round in 2019 out of Arizona.

Check out the Winston-Salem Dash Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 14, 2021


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