The Salem Red Sox ran into a buzz saw last week when the Charleston River Dogs, a Tampa Bay Rays farm team, came to town for a series at Salem Memorial Ballpark. The Dogs took five of the six games as Salem fell three games behind Fredricksburg in the North Division of the Carolina League standings.
Charleston won the opener, 11-2, but Salem bounced back to win the second game, 7-1. Jose Garcia had a two run homer in the second inning and Eddinson Paulino and Phillips Sikes had two hits each and scored two runs each. Three Sox relievers pitched four and a third innings of scoreless relief with Joey Stock picking up the win.
After that, the series went south for the Sox. Charleston won the next four games by scores of 5-4, 10-4, 10-6 and 9-0 on getaway Sunday to improve to 10-5 on the season and tie Myrtle Beach for first place in the Carolina’s South Division.
Salem will try to turn things around this week as they travel to Lynchburg for six games, beginning Tuesday. The Hillcats come into the week at 7-8, a game behind Salem and four behind Fredricksburg. Salem will return home May 3 to host Myrtle Beach for half a dozen ballgames.
Included in the series next week will be STEAM Night (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) presented by Branch Group, set for Friday, May 6th at Carilion Clinic Field. STEAM Night, one of more than 30 promotional nights scheduled for the 2022 season, will host a variety of programming elements including interactive booths along the concourse, STEAM educational material displayed throughout the game, an exclusive VIP experience with the Mascot Hall of Fame and more.
On May 6th the stadium turns into a classroom as the concourse will be filled with interactive displays from various businesses and organizations in STEAM-related fields. Displays include Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Hacksburg, Historical Society of Western Virginia, Mathnasium of Roanoke, Mascot Hall of Fame, Noke Codes, Roanoke Robotics & Makers Club, Spartan Robotics, Student Outreach Program at Virginia Tech- Carilion (VSOP), VA Museum of Transportation, VTCSOM – MedDOCs and Medical Design club.
The Mascot Hall of Fame, located in Whiting, Indiana, is a one-of-a-kind children’s activity museum equally rooted in STEAM education principles and sport mascot entertainment. The Hall of Fame is taking the museum on the road and joining the Salem Red Sox to share with fans how STEAM is everywhere they look, even in the mascot they love and support, Mugsy.
The Mascot Hall of Fame will be hosting an exclusive in-person, totally interactive, pre-game VIP event at Carilion Clinic Field. The entire family is invited to participate during the 30-45 minute presentation. Programming is designed for children ages 8-18. This VIP experience will take place from 5:30-6:15pm, prior to first pitch slated for 7:05pm as the Salem Red Sox host the Pelicans. VIP packages are $40 and include a reserved ticket with $10 of food/merchandise credit and your access to the pre-game STEAM event hosted by the Mascot Hall of Fame. Space is very limited.
“We are very excited to host the first STEAM Night at Salem Memorial Ballpark and our partnership with the Mascot Hall of Fame,” said Blair Hoke, Salem Red Sox AGM/VP of Ticket Sales & Service. “Our team continues to look for programming appropriate for fans of all ages that compliments the game of baseball and Salem’s initiative to provide, safe, affordable, family-entertainment. We look forward to welcoming fans of STEAM-related fields to a great night at the ballpark.”
For more information on STEAM Night, to purchase your VIP experience, or to get involved with the interactive displays, please call (540) 302-0243 or email bhoke@salemsox.com. For more information on the Mascot Hall of Fame, visit www.mascothalloffame.com.