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Greenville Drive

Drive Fall to Sand Gnats, 6-4, in 10 Innings

May 6, 2009 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Savannah, GA - The Drive (15-12) took a two-run lead into the bottom of the ninth, only to have the Savannah Sand Gnats (15-11) erase the deficit and send the game to extra innings. Jefry Marte capped the comeback in the tenth with a two-run homer, giving Savannah a 6-4 walk-off win in the series opener.

A three-run second inning gave the Drive an early advantage against Sand Gnats' starter Eric Beaulac. David Mailman, Will Middlebrooks, and Pete Hissey all reached base to begin the inning before David Marks collected a sacrifice fly, scoring Mailman. Zach Gentile then followed with an RBI-single and Mitch Dening added a run-scoring double.

Savannah was able to pull within a run when they scored single runs in the third and fourth innings. With two outs in the third, Wilmer Flores and Eric Campbell hit back-to-back doubles for the Sand Gnats first run. An inning later, a Ryan Dent fielding error allowed Rafael Fernandez to deliver a two-out RBI-single.

The Drive regained a two-run lead in the top of the fifth when Ryan Lavarnway tallied a sacrifice fly, which was aided by a Kai Gronauer passed ball.

However, the Drive could not hold onto their lead. Reliever Hunter Strickland (1-3) appeared to have closed out the game when he struckout Campbell with two outs, but a passed ball allowed Campbell to reach base. The next three batters all reached base, including RBI-singles off the bats of Josh Satin and Gronauer to tie the game.

Raul Reyes led off the bottom of the tenth with a single and after advancing on Fernandez's sacrifice fly, Marte delivered the game-winner on a first pitch offering.

Greenville starter Stolmy Pimentel earned a no-decision, allowing just one earned run over 5.0 innings to lower his earned run average to 2.17 on the season. The right-hander scattered nine hits and a walk during the outing, while fanning five.

The Drive and Sand Gnats continue their four-game series at Historic Grayson Stadium on Thursday with first pitch set for 7:05 PM. Right-hander Bryan Price takes the mound for Greenville, as Savannah counters with right-hander Elvin Ramirez

The Drive return home to Fluor Field on Monday, May 11th when they begin an eight-game homestand, beginning with the Augusta GreenJackets. Monday's game will be preceded by a BB&T Collegiate Baseball Series match-up between the Clemson Tigers and Furman Paladins at 4 PM. Single-game tickets, group outings, and luxury accommodations can be purchased by calling (864) 240-4500 or visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com for more information.

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