SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Escape Augusta with 4-2 Win in Finale

Published on August 2, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Augusta, GA - The Drive (56-48, 17-19) needed just one inning of scoring, coupled with solid starting pitching from Brock Huntzinger to hang on for a 4-2 win over the Augusta GreenJackets (56-50, 21-16), splitting the four-game series between the teams that wrapped up on Sunday at Lake Olmstead Stadium.

The Drive would get RBI singles from Pete Hissey and Mitch Dening before Ryan Lavarnway's two-run double put Greenville up 4-0 halfway through the game. Huntzinger (7-8) shut the GreenJackets down through five scoreless innings, earning the win. He allowed two hits, didn't walk anyone and struck out six.

Although Greenville tallied runs in just one inning, their bats remained hot for the entire game. They were held hitless in just two innings while five different batters recorded a multi-hit effort - Dening, Lavarnway, Shannon Wilkerson, Hissey, and Ryan Dent - for 12 hits in all.

Charlie Culberson triggered a comeback bid for the GreenJackets with his leadoff double to start the seventh inning against Mitch Herold. With one out, Culberson scored on Francisco Peguero's RBI single. Peguero would score on Josh Mazzola's run-scoring single to left-center to cut the lead in half. Mazzola was thrown out at second trying to stretch the hit into a double and the Jackets barely threatened after that.

Jason Blackey, however, made sure that Augusta would not complete the come-from-behind victory. The right-hander worked around a single in the eighth and ninth innings, fanning three over that span, to secure his second save since joining the Drive.

Making things interesting for the third night in a row, Will Middlebrooks waited until his final at bat to extend his team-high hit streak to 17 games. The third baseman failed to garner a base hit through his first three at bats, before doubling in the top of the eighth.

With Monday off, the Drive will return home to Fluor Field on Tuesday, August 4th for a four-game series against the Lexington Legends. Tuesday is also Green Day at Fluor Field, when the Drive celebrate the 178th birthday of the City of Greenville. One citizen is also recognized for their drive and dedication into helping shape Greenville into the city it has become. This year's honoree is C. Dan Joyner. 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 August 2, 2009


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