SAL Winston-Salem Dash

Winston-Salem Swept in Sunday Doubleheader vs. Asheville

Published on July 16, 2023 under South Atlantic League (SAL)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release


ASHEVILLE, NC - Following a suspension of game two between the Winston-Salem Dash and the Asheville Tourists Saturday night due to inclement weather, the teams met for a doubleheader on Sunday.

The Dash were swept in the twin bill, as well as the three-game weekend road series at McCormick Field in Asheville.

Game 2: Dash 5, Tourists 6

Lefty Tyler Schweitzer made his debut on the mound for Winston-Salem after being called up from the Single-A Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. Schweitzer performed well through two innings, striking out three and giving up just one hit.

In the top of the third, with Caberea Weaver aboard second via a leadoff double, Jacob Burke knocked an RBI single to center field to put the Dash on the board first. Then, in the bottom of the inning, a fielding error from Burke allowed three to score, giving Asheville a 3-1 lead.

Heavy rain produced unplayable conditions shortly thereafter and the game was suspended before the fourth inning could begin. The contest resumed Sunday afternoon, and Brooks Gosswein came on to replace Schweitzer.

Gosswein walked the first three batters he faced to load the bases, then walked a fourth straight to increase the Tourists' lead to 3. Kole Ramage came on in lieu of Gosswein with no outs and the bases loaded, and he couldn't escape the inning unscathed.

With two outs, Asheville's Jacob Melton belted a 2-run double to right field, putting the hosts up 6-1. Neither team could manage any runs in the ensuing three innings, but the Dash broke through in the top of the eighth.

With no outs and the bases loaded, Tim Elko clubbed a grand slam to right field, pulling Winston-Salem within 1. The homer marked his 19th of the season and second with the Dash. The top of the order was able to come back up for the top of the ninth, but they couldn't find the tying run.

The Dash fell 6-5 in game one of Sunday's doubleheader and game two of the series. Schweitzer was tabbed with the loss, and Asheville's Miguel Ullola picked up the win and Carlos Calderon secured the save.

Game 3: Dash 4, Tourists 7

Connor McCullough was on the bump for the Dash in game two of the doubleheader and ran into some trouble out of the gates. He issued a leadoff walk, gave up a single and then surrendered an RBI single to the first three batters as Asheville took an early 1-0 lead.

Winston-Salem responded in the top of the second, though, as Burke knocked in Taishi Nakawake on an RBI groundout to level the score. However, McCullough's struggles continued in the bottom of the frame.

With runners on the corners, McCullough tossed a wild pitch to allow the Tourists to plate 1 run. Then, in the next at-bat, Melton launched a 2-run homer to left-center field to give Asheville a 4-1 advantage.

McCullough punched out two and retired the Tourists in order in the third, and the Dash chipped into the lead in the top of the fourth. With one out, Weaver singled to drive in Loidel Chapelli, and Burke lined a double to center field in the next at-bat to tack on another run.

Burke extended his on-base streak to 48 games with the hit, and Winston-Salem found itself down just 1. McCullough stayed sharp and worked a 1-2-3 bottom of the fourth, and the Dash were able to knot the score in the fifth.

Chapelli scored on a balk from Asheville pitcher A.J. Blubaugh to tie things up at 4. Chase Plymell came out of the bullpen to relieve McCullough in the bottom of the inning, and the Tourists immediately regained the lead.

Logan Cerny smacked an RBI triple to center field to push Asheville ahead 5-4, and Tim Borden II knocked in another run with a sacrifice fly shortly thereafter. Eric Adler replaced Plymell in the sixth but couldn't keep the Tourists quiet as they pushed another run across.

The middle of the order was up for the Dash in the seventh, but they couldn't muster any magic for the comeback. Winston-Salem fell 7-4 in the shortened seven-inning game and were swept in the three-game weekend series against Asheville.

Plymell was given the loss for the Dash, and Asheville's Blubaugh earned the win. Winston-Salem returns home for a six-game set against the Jersey Shore BlueClaws starting Tuesday night. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. from Truist Stadium.

Check out the Winston-Salem Dash Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 16, 2023


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