Winston-Salem Salsa (14–9) vs. Hickory Llamas (12–11)

Thursday, May 5–7 p.m.

Truist Stadium (Winston-Salem, N.C.)

Game 23 Recap

In the second game of the series, Hickory got out to an early lead, and one they’d keep for the rest of the game with Cody Freeman’s grand slam. Adam Hackenberg would open up the scoring for the Hogs with a solo home run in the bottom of the second and Bryan Ramos added another run on a sacrifice fly that would score Jason Matthews in the third inning, bringing the Crawdads lead down to two runs. Wilber Perez would hold it down in relief of Chase Solesky until the fourth inning when Ty Madrigal came in to replace him. In the top of the fifth, though, Cody Freeman would blast a two-run homer off of Madrigal over the center field wall for his second home run of the game, making the game 6–2. In the top of the eighth, Hickory’s Evan Carter was tagged out trying to advance to third, but his efforts wouldn’t go unrewarded as he drove in two runs. The Crawdads pitching would stifle the Hogs offense from the fourth inning on, winning the game 8–2.

RAMOS REWARDED

Bryan Ramos was named the South Atlantic League’s player of the month for April. Ramos led the league in batting average, hits, and OPS in the month, dominating the pitching. Not only did he bat for average and get on base, but his swing also provided power for the Dash as well, hitting 4 HRs and driving in 16 runs.

SALSA SIESTAS

After being in the lineup for the first two games of the series, Adam Hackenberg, Jason Matthew, Tyler Osik and Cabrera Weaver will be available off the bench today. The quartet of players combined for 3 HRs and 8 RBIs in the series thus far and will receive some well-deserved rest for the third game of the series.

WHO IS THIS NICK KRAUTH KID?

Nick Krauth will take the hill for the Crawdads today, making his second appearance against the Dash. Krauth appeared on Opening Day against the Dash in a relief appearance. He went 1.1 innings, allowing three hits and a run to come through, as well as a walk.

CURBELO COMES BACK

After coming to the Dash from Birmingham on April 28, Luis Curbelo will make his return to the lineup in the third game of this series batting fifth and playing third base. Curbelo played 109 games for Winston-Salem last year, leading the Dash in home runs and runs batted in with 22 HRs and 66 RBIs.

First pitch is slated for 7:00 p.m.