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Greenville Drive

Drive Fall to GreenJackets, 9-5, in Series Opener

May 11, 2009 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - Of all the opponents in the 16-team South Atlantic League, it has been the Augusta GreenJackets who have given the Drive the biggest fits. That streak continued Monday night as the last place GreenJackets easily handled the first place Drive 9-5 at Fluor Field.

Taking a 1-0 lead into the fifth inning, Augusta broke the game wide open with six runs over the next two innings. Brock Huntzinger (2-1) surrendered RBI-doubles to Wendell Fairley and CJ Ziegler, while Ben Woodbury added an RBI-single in the fifth.

An inning later, Huntzinger recorded just one out and allowed a pair of base runners before being relieved by Armando Zerpa. James Simmons rudely greeted the southpaw with a two-run single and later scored on Woodbury's two-out base hit.

Trailing by seven runs in the bottom of the eighth, the Drive made a valiant effort at a comeback by sending 10 batters to the dish and plating four runs. Kade Keowen led off the frame with a solo homer and Ryan Lavarnway added a two-run double. Will Middlebrooks accounted for Greenville's final run when he drew a bases loaded walk.

The GreenJackets were able to get out of the inning without any further damage as Daniel Runzler induced Keowen into an inning-ending groundout with the bases loaded.

Kyle Nicholson (1-4) earned his first victory of the season for Augusta, allowing four runs - three earned - on seven hits over 7-1/3 innings. The right-hander struckout a season-high eight batters in the win.

The Drive and GreenJackets continue their four-game series Tuesday with first pitch set for 7:05 PM. Right-hander Hunter Strickland will toe the rubber for Greenville as Augusta counters with lefty Ari Ronick.

Tomorrow will be Affiliate Tuesday at Fluor Field as the game's entertainment will focus on the Major League affiliates of the Drive and GreenJackets, the Boston Red Sox and San Francisco Giants, respectively. Single-game tickets, group outings, and luxury accommodations can be purchased by calling (864) 240-4500 or visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com for more information.

NOTES: With his 1-for-5 performance, David Mailman extended his hitting streak to 8 games...Pete Hissey and Mitch Dening each had two hits for the Drive...attendance was 5,856

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 11, 2009


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