SAL1 Greenville Drive

Suns Set On Drive, Fall Late 5-4

Published on July 14, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Hagerstown, MD - The first two games of the series between the Drive (47-39, 8-10) and Hagerstown Suns have been all about who can pull off a late rally. Tuesday night it was the Suns (37-49, 6-13) turn as they scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth to garner a 5-4 victory at Municipal Stadium.

It appeared that the game had the makings of a slugfest, as Greenville and Hagerstown combined for seven runs through the first four innings. Then the well went dry, until Stephen Lombardozzi delivered his only hit of the game, a two-out, two-run double off the Drive's Mitch Herold (3-1).

A string of doubles in the top of the first gave the Drive an early 2-0 lead against Hagerstown starter Trevor Holder. After a Zach Gentile single, Ryan Lavarnway and Kade Keowen laced back-to-back two-baggers for the first runs of the game.

But the Suns didn't waste any time cutting into the Greenville lead, answering for a run, albeit an unearned one, in their first at bat. Lombardozzi, the leadoff batter, was a victim of a Nick Hagadone strikeout but was able to reach base on a passed ball. He would later come around to score on Steven Souza's groundout.

Two innings later the Drive added two more runs, in attempt to pull away by extending their lead to three runs. Three consecutive hits got the frame started as Gentile singled and scored on Lavarnway's double. Keowen then tallied a single, but was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double. Ryan Dent was able to plate Lavarnway from third with a two-out single.

But once again, the Suns retaliated, this time in the bottom of the fourth by scoring two runs to once again cut the Drive's lead to a run. Hagerstown almost hit for the cycle in the inning, as Mike Lee surrendered a single to Robert Jacobsen, an RBI-double to James Keithley, and an RBI-triple from Michael Guerrero.

However, those would be the last runs until Lombardozzi's heroics in the eighth. Both the Drive and Suns recorded at least one hit in the fifth, sixth, and seventh inning, but neither were able to take advantage of scoring opportunities. The two teams combined to leave seven runners on base.

There won't be much time for rest as the Drive and Suns meet in the third game of their four-game series Wednesday morning at 11:05 AM. Right-hander Jeremy Kehrt will get the early wake-up call for Greenville, and take the mound for the first time since joining the Drive from Lowell.

The Drive return home from their northern trek on Wednesday, July 22nd when the begin an eight-game homestand at Fluor Field. Greenville "Pitches In" kicks-off the homestand as anyone can come to Fluor Field beginning at 6 AM to throw out a first pitch. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Children's Hospital at Greenville Hospital System. 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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South Atlantic League Stories from July 14, 2009


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