SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Hang On for 7-5 Win in Finale Versus Shorebirds

Published on July 25, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - Series finales have been the Drive's forte all season, especially at home. That trend continued Saturday night as Greenville (52-44, 13-15) avoided a sweep with a 7-5 victory over the Delmarva Shorebirds (51-46, 15-13), but not before there was some late-inning nailbiting.

Leading 6-2 as the game entered the top of the eighth, it looked as if the Drive would cruise to a win to snap their four-game losing streak. But Delmarva capitalized on four hits and an error to plate three runs off Mike Lee (3-3). Xavier Avery collected a two-run single and LJ Hoes added an RBI-single.

But it would be as close as Delmarva would get as the Drive plated an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth on Zach Gentile's single. Jason Blackey, who came in of relief in the eighth, closed the door for his first save in his Drive debut.

The Drive jumped out to a five-run lead, scoring six of their runs in a four-inning span from the second through the fifth. Mitch Dening put Greenville's first run on the board, lifting a solo homer to rightfield to lead off the second.

An inning later, it was another roundtripper that extended the Drive's lead to 3-0. Jered Stanley drew a one-out walk and two batters later, Kade Keowen delivered a two-run bomb to deep right-centerfield.

It wasn't until the top of the fifth that Shorebirds finally mustered. Avery laced a one-out double, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored on LHoes' sacrifice fly. But the Drive were able to answer with a pair of runs in the home half of the inning on a Will Middlebrooks double and a Pete Hissey RBI-single.

In his 9th start as he continues to rehab from Tommy John Surgery, Nick Hagadone limited Delmarva to two hits and a walk, while fanning four in 3.0 innings. The southpaw appeared to have his best stuff thus far in 2009, touching 99 miles per hour on the Fluor Field radar gun on multiple occasions.

The Drive will now welcome the first half Northern Division Champion Lakewood BlueClaws to Fluor Field for a four-game series, beginning Sunday at 7:05 PM. Left-hander Fabian Williamson (6-2, 2.42 ERA) will toe the rubber for Greenville in the opener, as Lakewood counters with right-hander Trevor May (1-1, 3.28 ERA)

Sunday is also Family FunDay at the ballpark, where kids get to run the bases at the conclusion of the game. Prior to tomorrow's game, the City of Greenville and the Drive will honor 2009 U.S. Open Champion Lucas Glover. Gates for the free event open at 2:30 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.

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 25, 2009


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