Buies Creek 5, Winston-Salem 3
W: Justin Ferrell (1-0)
L: Kelvis Valerio (0-1)
S: Andrew Thome (1)
Full box score attached.
BUIES CREEK, N.C. (April 7, 2017) – Winston-Salem snagged its first lead of the game with three in the top of the eighth, but Buies Creek responded with three runs of its own in the bottom half to rally past the Dash 5-3 on Friday night at Jim Perry Stadium.
The Dash (0-2) only recorded one hit in the game’s first seven innings, but a pair of well-placed singles by Toby Thomas and Danny Mendick set the stage for prospect outfielder Luis Basabe. Basabe snapped an 0-for-8 start to his season with a game-tying two-run triple to right-center. Moments later, he scored on a wild pitch by Justin Ferrell (1-0) to give the Dash a 3-2 lead.
This advantage would not last long thanks to a two-out rally from the Astros (2-0). A one-out walk and a two-out hit by pitch preceded a triple from Dexture McCall that barely stayed fair down the right field line. It also proved to be the game-winning knock, though Pat Porter added an insurance run with a single to make it 5-3.
Winston-Salem did threaten in the top of the ninth. Aaron Schnurbusch worked a leadoff walk after falling behind in the count 1-2, and Johan Cruz delivered a double with one down. However, Andrew Thome bounced back to fan Thomas and Mendick to solidify the victory.
The Astros’ trio of Alex Winkelman, Ferrell and Thome combined to strike out 17 batters, the first time that Winston-Salem has logged that many strikeouts in a nine-inning game since 2011. Winkelman whiffed nine over five dominant innings, during which he surrendered just one hit.
Dash starter Zach Thompson gritted through five innings and gave up a pair of runs. Johnny Sewald scored on a wild pitch in the third, while Jason Martin added a sacrifice fly in the fifth. Southpaw Ryan Riga cruised through two shutout innings before Kelvis Valerio (0-1) gave up the lead in the eighth inning.
This season-opening series continues Saturday at 6 p.m. from Buies Creek. After posting a SAL-leading 1.86 ERA a season ago, right-hander Brannon Easterling will make his High-A debut for the Dash on the mound. Southpaw Matt Bower will counter for the Astros. Pregame coverage begins at 5:45 p.m. on wsdash.com/broadcast and the TuneIn Radio App.
The Dash’s home slate begins Thursday, April 13, with a seven-game homestand that features at least one promotion each night. For tickets, call (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.
