Winston-Salem 7, Carolina 4
W: Aron McRee (1-5)
L: Conor Harber (1-4)
S: Jack Charleston (1)
Full box score attached.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (May 20, 2017) – Keon Barnum and Louis Silverio combined to drive in all but one run for the Dash, as Winston-Salem snapped its four-game losing streak with a 7-4 victory against the Carolina Mudcats in front of 5,963 fans at BB&T Ballpark on Saturday night.
Trailing 1-0 in the second, Barnum smashed his first homer with the Dash (14-29) this season, a one-out, solo shot against Conor Harber (1-4) into the home run porch in right-center field. Barnum leads all White Sox farmhands with nine homers this year.
The Mudcats (22-20) regained the advantage in the third on a solo blast by Corey Ray against Winston-Salem starter Aron McRee (1-5) to put Carolina up 2-1, but the Dash responded with a big inning in the bottom of the frame.
Danny Mendick started the rally with a one-out double down the left field line. Two batters later, Trey Michalczewski walked and Zack Collins followed by drawing his Carolina League-leading 34th free pass of the season and his first of two on the evening.
With the bases loaded and two outs, Silverio smoked a three-run double off the top of the left field wall to give Winston-Salem a 4-2 edge. Barnum capped the scoring in the inning with an RBI single on a sharp ground ball that was deflected by Harber and ricocheted off the body of the Mudcats shortstop Isan Diaz, allowing Silverio to score.
Carolina pulled a run closer in the fifth on an RBI double by Cooper Hummel to make it a 5-3 contest, but Silverio once again came through with two outs in the bottom of the frame. The Dash’s RBI leader drove in Luis Basabe on a single to allow Winston-Salem to go ahead 6-3. The 23-year-old now has 27 RBIs this season and eight in his last three games.
Jake Gatewood chased McRee from the game in the sixth with a leadoff blast to left, but the Dash hurler picked up his first victory at the High-A level on Saturday. The righty went five innings, allowing four hits and four runs.
Brady Conlan gave Winston-Salem some insurance in the eighth with a solo homer to left, his second long ball in as many nights.
Out of the bullpen, Louie Lechich and Yelmison Peralta each spun a scoreless inning, and Jack Charleston locked down his first save with the Dash by tossing two strong frames.
Collins sealed the win for Winston-Salem in the ninth, nabbing Luis Aviles on a stolen base attempt at second base to end the game. The former Miami Hurricane has now thrown out a league-leading 22 would-be base stealers.
The Dash continue their four-game series against Carolina on Sunday at 2 p.m. Winston-Salem sends its ace Tanner Banks (4-1, 2.96 ERA) to the mound against right-hander Corbin Burnes (4-0, 1.15 ERA), who leads the Carolina League in earned run average. Sunday’s afternoon tilt will be televised on My 48 locally in Winston-Salem and streamed on both wsdash.com/broadcast and the TuneIn Radio app.
#YourHomeTeam’s Sunday contest will be another Lowes Foods Family Sunday at BB&T Ballpark. Hot dogs and Pepsi soft drinks will be available for $1 until the end of the first inning, and a couple of Dash players will be on the concourse pregame to sign autographs. Kids are also invited to stay after the contest and run the bases, powered by New Balance Winston-Salem. The Dash will be celebrating Bolt’s birthday throughout the afternoon as well. For tickets and more information, please contact the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.
