Fayetteville 4, Winston-Salem 2
W: Nivaldo Rodriguez (3-3)
L: Jonathan Stiever (1-2)
S: Jose Gonzalez (1)
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (July 4, 2019) – WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (July 4, 2019) – Despite a quality start from Jonathan Stiever, the Dash fell to the Fayetteville Woodpeckers 4-2 at BB&T Ballpark on Independence Day in front of 8,825 fans, the third-largest crowd in BB&T Ballpark’s 10-year history.
Stiever (1-2), a former fifth-round pick by the White Sox out of the Indiana University, allowed just three runs on four hits across six innings. The right-hander also racked up eight strikeouts, his highest total as a member of the Dash (6-9, 44-35). Stiever has now logged three quality starts in three outings at the High-A level.
Fayetteville (7-8, 38-46) jumped out to a lead against Stiever in the top of the third inning. With one out, Scott Schreiber blooped a single into right field for the first hit against Stiever. Then, Ruben Castro belted an opposite-field home run down the left-field line to give the Woodpeckers a 2-0 lead.
In the top of the fourth, the Woodpeckers struck via the long ball once again. To lead off the frame, Corey Julks smashed a solo homer to left field to increase the Fayetteville lead to three runs.
After Woodpeckers starter Nivaldo Rodriguez (3-3) pitched five scoreless innings, the Dash got on the board against reliever Austin Hansen in the bottom of the sixth. With one out, Tate Blackman reached on an error by third baseman Enmanuel Valdez before stealing second base. Mitch Roman then punched a double down the right-field line to bring Blackman home and make it 3-1.
Following his double, Roman stole third base with Steele Walker at the plate. Hansen then fired a wild pitch, allowing Roman to score and pull the Dash within a run. Walker then sliced a double into left before Jameson Fisher reached on an error to put runners at the corners. But, Hansen struck out Zach Remillard to end the frame.
The Woodpeckers added an insurance in the top of ninth against Jose Nin. To lead off the frame, Chandler Taylor smacked a double off the wall in center field. Following a Michael Papierski flyout, Corey Julks hit a ground ball to the second baseman Blackman, but Blackman misfired on his throw to first, scoring Taylor to make it 4-2.
In the bottom of the ninth, Hansen struck out both Fisher and Remillard. Joey Gonzalez then entered the ballgame and struck out Craig Dedelow to end the contest and earn the save.
Winston-Salem continues its series with Fayetteville on Friday night at 7 p.m. Right-hander Kade McClure (1-1, 2.12 ERA) will take the hill for the Dash against fellow righty Jojanse Torres (1-0, 2.89 ERA). Pregame coverage begins at 6:45 p.m., and fans can catch all of the action on the wsdash.com/broadcast, MiLB.tv and the TuneIn Radio App.
The series with the Woodpeckers continues with a Fireworks Friday and live music and food trucks on Saturday. Kids Run the Bases, powered by New Balance Winston-Salem, will follow the game on Friday and Saturday.
Following the series with Fayetteville, a three-game set with Frederick begins with a Rayados Day and Lowes Foods Family Sunday. After Sunday’s series opener with the Keys, there will be a Free Food Monday, with free hot dogs and french fries available until 8:30 p.m. as well as corn dogs while supplies last. Tuesday’s homestand finale will feature $2 tacos, $2 tacate and $2 tea. For tickets and more information, call the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.
