Hansen, timely offense lead Dash to 7-3 win

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Aug. 22, 2017) - Alec Hansen struck out eight Mudcats over five innings, and four Dash batters posted multi-hit efforts as Winston-Salem topped Carolina 7-3 in Tuesday's series opener at BB&T Ballpark. 
Hansen (4-5) kept the Mudcats in check en route to his fourth High-A victory. The former Oklahoma Sooner limited the Mudcats (26-32, 62-64) to two runs on three hits, while his eight strikeouts vaulted himself into the top spot in the Minor Leagues in strikeouts with 174 over 131 innings pitched between the Dash and Low-A Kannapolis.

Matt Rose jump-started Winston-Salem's offense by clubbing a two-out, two-run double off the center field wall to plate Joel Booker and Brandon Dulin, who walked and singled, respectively, earlier in the inning. Rose has reached base in 11 straight starts dating back to August 1 and sports a .424 average (14-for-33) this month, including a 3-for-4 effort on Tuesday. 
Carolina sliced Winston-Salem's lead in half in the second, as Lucas Erceg tagged Hansen with a leadoff home run off the right field foul pole, his 14th of the season. 
The Dash (27-31, 51-77) and Mudcats each tacked on a run in their next offensive frames, as Booker grounded an RBI single to center that scored Louis Silverio in the second before Trent Clark responded for Carolina in the top of the third with a run-scoring single to close the lead to 3-2.
In the sixth, Winston-Salem broke the game open with a four-run inning that saw eight men come to the plate. After Mudcats starter Marcos Diplan (6-8) retired the first two men in order, Dulin worked a walk, and Rose laced his second double of the game into the left field corner. Diplan then walked Jameson Fisher to load the bases.
Silverio promptly unloaded them, clocking a three-run double to center to give the Dash a 6-2 edge and knock Diplan out of the game. Brady Conlan capped the scoring by greeting Carolina reliever Wuilder Rodriguez with a single up the middle that brought home Silverio.
Out of the Winston-Salem bullpen, Zach Thompson and Ryan Burr yielded just two hits and two walks over three innings while striking out three. Mick VanVossen allowed a run in the ninth, but he was able to slam the door.
The Dash and Mudcats continue their three-game set on Wednesday at BB&T Ballpark, with first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m. Right-hander Dane Dunning (5-6, 3.35 ERA) takes the ball for Winston-Salem against fellow righty Jordan Yamamoto (6-4, 3.07 ERA). Pregame coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. and will be available on wsdash.com/broadcast, MiLB.tv and the TuneIn Radio App.
As a part of Fan Appreciation Week at the downtown facility, #YourHomeTeam is hosting one final All-You-Can-Eat for Free Night on Wednesday evening. For the normal price of admission, fans can enjoy all the hot dogs, hamburgers and cheeseburgers they desire through the seventh inning for free. 
It's also a Pups in the Park Night, presented by WFMY. $5 Pooch Passes are available for purchase by calling the Dash at (336) 714-2287, with all proceeds going to a local animal-related charity. There will also be a pregame Puppy Parade on the field. For tickets and more information, visit wsdash.com.