J. B. Wendelken tossed seven shutout innings and the Winston-Salem Dash had 13 hits, including seven doubles, in a 12-2 win over the Frederick Keys Wednesday afternoon. The win keeps them just a half-game behind Carolina and Myrtle Beach in the South Division.

The Dash came out of the gate full throttle, hitting three singles and a double in first inning to score three runs. Cleuluis Rondon had a one out single which was followed by a single by Courtney Hawkins. Jason Coats then lined a double to center field that scored both Rondon and Hawkins. Keon Barnum then singled to score Coats and the Dash came out of the first leading 3-0.

In the bottom of the third Hawkins led off with a walk, and Coats followed with a double to left field moving Hawkins to third. After a strike out, Joey DeMichele doubled to left scoring Coats and Hawkins. DeMichele would advance to third on a wild pitch, but would be caught trying to score on a grounder by Nick Basto to short. With Basto at first and two ours, Mike Marjama doubled into left field plating Basto and the score was 6-0.

In the sixth the Dash would get two more. Jacob May would hit his 27th double of the season scoring Keenyn Walker. Courtney Hawkins then singled scoring May and the score was 8-0 at that point.

Frederick would finally get on the board in the eighth breaking a streak of 17 straight scoreless innings against Winston-Salem. Carlos Rodon would relieve Wendelken and would get hit hard in the inning. He struck out the first two batters of the eighth, but the second batter would reach first when Rodon’s third strike went for a wild pitch. John Ruettiger then drew a walk and one out later Trey Mancini walked as well. With the bases loaded Chih-Hsien Chiang singled to center field scoring Steel Russell and Ruettiger.

Up 8-2 the Dash went for the throat in the bottom of the inning. May doubled with one out and Rondon was pitched around to get to Hawkins. The left fielder hit a deep fly ball to center field that bounced away from Keys center fielder Brenden Webb, and Hawkins raced around the bases for his 17th home run of the season, this one of the inside-the-park kind. One out later Keon Barnum would homer the old fashioned way, clearing the right field fence for his eighth home run of the year.

While five different players for Winston-Salem had at least two hits for the team, Hawkins had the biggest night. He went 3-4 with three runs, a home run and three RBI.

By Robert Pannier
Senior Baseball Editor
Member of the IBWAA