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Greenville Drive

Lavarnway Powers Drive to 8-5 Victory Over Suns

July 16, 2009 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Hagerstown, MD - The Drive (49-39, 10-10) flexed their offensive muscles Thursday night by belting three homers, two of which came off the bat of designated hitter Ryan Lavarnway. Will Middlebrooks added the third as Greenville cruised to an 8-5 win over the Hagerstown Suns (37-51, 6-15) in the series finale at Municipal Stadium.

Lavarnway's first homer came in the top of the first off Hagerstown starter Patrick Arnold (3-2), giving Greenville an early 2-0 lead. The designated hitter wasted little time in his at bat, jumping all over a first pitch fastball. Jeremy Hazelbaker, who led off the game with a double, scored on the round-tripper.

But the Suns proved their resiliency taking a one-run lead in the top of third by plating three runs off Stolmy Pimentel (9-3). After a one-out Chris Curran single and a two-out walk to Derek Norris, Tyler Moore belted a three-run homer off the Venezuelan.

Three innings later, Lavarnway proved that he had Arnold's number. The right-hander did himself no favors by issuing free passes to Ty Weeden and Ryan Dent, as well as a single by Hazelbaker to load the bases. This time, however, Arnold was able to get a pitch by Lavarnway for a strike before the Yale alum smoked a grand slam to centerfield.

Things didn't fare any better for the Suns second reliever of the night, Carlos Peralta, as Will Middlebrooks smacked a two-run homer in the top of the eighth, concluding Greenville's scoring efforts.

Despite his one bad inning, Pimentel stuck around long enough to earn the win. The right-hander allowed five hits, two of which came in the three-run third, and a walk while fanning five in 5.0 innings.

Leandro Marin added 2.0 scoreless innings, working around three walks with three strikeouts, before the Suns scored single runs in the eighth and ninth innings off Lance McClain.

Winners of four of their last five games, the Drive now travel to Eastlake, Ohio for a four-game series with the Lake County Captains. Right-hander Brock Huntzinger (5-6, 3.96 ERA) will toe the rubber for Greenville, while southpaw Francisco Jimenez makes his Captains debut.

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 16, 2009


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