SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Outhit Crawdads, but Lose 4-0

Published on June 17, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Hickory, NC - Eight of the Drive's (34-33) nine batters recorded a hit, tallying more than the Hickory Crawdads (39-28) on Thursday, but they weren't able to one-up the home team where it really mattered - on the scoreboard.

While Greenville lacked the key hit at LP Frans Stadium in the opener, leaving eight runners on base and finishing 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position, the Crawdads took advantage of all six of their hits, winning 4-0.

Ryan Pressly (2-4) started out hot on the mound for the Drive, limiting Hickory to just one baserunner through the game's first three innings, who reached on a Michael Almanzar throwing error.

But with the game still scoreless in the bottom of the fourth, Crawdads became the first team to plate runs with three. Following the first walk the right-hander issued, as well as the first hit, Cristian Santana crushed a 1-1 offering for a three-run homer.

Hickory followed up the fourth by scoring the game's final run an inning later, this time off reliever Anatanaer Batista.

Although the Drive had two more hits than the Crawdads, they were never really able to string together anything. That was due to the strong pitching effort from Hickory starter Joseph Wieland (6-4) and reliever Kyle Ocampo.

Wieland scattered five hits and a walk over 6.0 innings, while striking out six, before giving way to Ocampo who struckout five in the final three innings to earn his second save of the season.

The Drive will look to rebound in the second game of this four-game set on Friday, with first pitch set for 7:00 PM. Greenville will send right-hander Kendal Volz to the hill, while Hickory counters with left-hander Robbie Ross.

Following the final series of the first half of the regular season, three Drive players - catcher Dan Butler, outfielder Ronald Bermudez, and pitcher Dennis Neuman - as well as manager Billy McMillon will return home to Fluor Field to participate in the 2010 South Atlantic League All-Star Game. Gates to Fluor Field will open at 5:30 PM, with the Oobe Home Run Derby slated to begin at 6 PM, and first pitch of the All-Star Game presented by BB&T at 7:15 PM.

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 17, 2010


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