SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Stifle Suns in 6-4 Victory

Published on July 25, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Hagerstown, MD - The Drive (53-48, 15-16) have done their best at getting used to playing day games in the heat wave that has pounded the Northeast, due to a fallen light pole that has changed all of the start times at Municipal Stadium. On Monday, Greenville bounced back from Sunday's five-run loss to defeat the Hagerstown Suns (56-44, 16-14), 6-4.

Hagerstown struck first with a run in the opening inning as Adrian Sanchez laced a double into the right-field corner, then stole third, before David Freitas lifted a sacrifice fly.

Biding their time, Greenville exploded with four runs in the top of the sixth inning, as seven members of the Drive stepped up to the plate against Shane McCatty (1-3). Wilfred Pichardo cued an RBI-double up the left-field line to score Felix Sanchez, who had opened up the inning with a single.

Brandon Jacobs, as part of a 2-for-3 day at the plate, skipped a single through the left side of the infield to put runners on the corner. Then, Henry Ramos yanked a three-run home run over the right-centerfield wall, his fourth round tripper of the season.

The Suns started chipping away at their deficit in the home half of the sixth with an RBI-double by Sanchez to the wall in left-field, scoring Blake Kelso, who had reached on a field by Xander Bogaerts.

But the Drive countered just as quickly, re-grabbing a three run lead with a double off the stick of David Renfroe to the gap in right-centerfield. Drew Dominguez then lined a soft drive into leftfield, putting Greenville up 5-2.

Keith Couch (4-3) turned in a solid six inning effort, allowing just one earned run on four hits and a walk, while striking out six before turning the game over to the Greenville bullpen.

Hagerstown had more offense after the seventh inning stretch, pulling within a run as they plated a pair of runs off reliever Tyler Lockwood. Both runs came around to score on Michael Taylor's two-run single.

Drew Hedman's solo homer in the top of the ninth added an insurance run, and Michael Olmsted tossed perfect frame to preserve the victory and earn his second save of the season.

The Drive and Suns will square off for a matinee game to conclude the series on Tuesday, with first pitch set for 11:05 AM. Right-hander Scott Swinson (2-2, 2.67 ERA) will toe the rubber for Greenville, while Hagerstown's hurler has yet to be determined.

The Drive return home to Fluor Field on Thursday, July 28th to closeout the month with a four-game series against the Charleston RiverDogs. For more information regarding single-game tickets, luxury accommodations, group outings, and ticket plan packages call (864) 240-4500 or visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com.

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 25, 2011


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