SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Sweep Double Dip with Power

August 22, 2009 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Charleston, WV - Due to Friday's rainout, the Drive and West Virginia Power (56-65, 29-22) were forced to wait a day before kicking off their four-game from Appalachian Power Park.

The waiting game didn't seem to effect Greenville (66-56, 27-27), who pulled off their first doubleheader sweep since April 12th of last season, with a 6-3 victory in game one and an 8-6 win in the second game.

Tying a career-high with eight strikeouts, right-handed pitcher Brock Huntzinger (8-8) evened his record after firing 5.0 strong innings in the first of two seven-game affairs.

Huntzinger surrendered two runs in the bottom of the first, coming on RBI-singles by Calvin Anderson and Quincy Lattimore. However, the Pendleton, Indiana native limited the West Virginia offense to just three more hits over his final four innings, and only one baserunner advanced into scoring position.

The Power's scoring in their first at bat did little to stir the Drive, who answered with all six of their runs in the top of the second. Greenville sent 10 batters to the plate, including Will Middlebrooks who tallied two of the six hits in the inning.

Newcomer Alex Hassan knocked in the inning's first run with an RBI-single. Shannon Wilkerson also produced a two-run single while Ryan Dent added an RBI-double. A hit was not needed for Greenville's other two runs of the frame as Oscar Tejeda lifted a sacrifice fly and Ty Weeden collected an RBI with a groundout.

Mitch Herold allowed the Power's final run as he tossed the last two innings of game one. The southpaw allowed two hits and struckout three.

The offense continued to roll in game two, as they scored all eight of their runs in a three-inning span. Three West Virginia defensive miscues led to four unearned runs which proved to be the difference.

The Drive pushed across the game's first runs in the top of the third as Zach Gentile reached on a two-out error, which led to three runs. After Casey Kelly drew a walk, Ryan Lavarnway delivered an RBI-single, and Will Middlebrooks added a two-run double.

But the Power wasted little time in tying the game, scoring three runs of their own in the home half of the third. Latimore belted a 1-1 offering from Chad Povich for a three-run homer.

Jeremy Hazelbaker put Greenville back up by three runs with his first homer, a two-run shot, in the top of the fourth. Hassan added an RBI-double, scoring the Drive's other new player, first baseman Chris McGuiness. Another roundtripper, a two-run shot by Wilkerson in the top of the fifth gave the Drive a five run advantage.

Holding onto a four run lead heading into West Virginia's final at bat, the Drive's bullpen made it closer than it should have been. Anderson laced a two-run double off Lance McClain before the lefty induced Kyle Morgan to pop out, ending the threat and the game.

The Drive and Power continue their four-game series on Sunday, with first pitch set for 5:05 PM. Right-hander Caleb Clay (4-5, 3.87 ERA) will head to the mound for Greenville, as West Virginia counters with right-hander Quinton Miller (2-3, 5.49 ERA).

Greenville returns home to Fluor Field on Tuesday, August 25th for a four-game set against the Northern Division-leading Kannapolis Intimidators, affiliates of the Chicago White Sox. For more information regarding single-game tickets, group outings, and luxury accommodations, visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com or call (864) 240-4500.

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics



South Atlantic League Stories from August 22, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central