SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Falter in 11 Innings to RiverDogs, 5-4

Published on August 24, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Charleston, SC - While the Charleston RiverDogs (50-79, 24-35) may have the worst record in the South Atlantic League, they would love to play spoilers and deny the Drive (70-59, 32-27) a third straight trip to the postseason. They did just that in the third game of the series at Riley Park on Wednesday, erasing a Greenville lead on two separate occasions, including scoring a pair of runs in the bottom of the 11th inning for a 5-4 victory.

Having been deadlocked 3-3 since the fifth inning, the Drive scored in the top of the 11th inning when Sean Coyle lifted a sacrifice fly to score David Renfroe. But Greenville's fourth straight victory was not meant to be as the RiverDogs tallied three runs and two hits off of Tyler Lockwood (5-8) during their turn at bat.

The duo of relievers Michael Olmsted and Michael Gleason combined to hold Charleston hitless and scoreless from the sixth through the tenth innings, after Miguel Celestino hurled the game's first 5.0 innings.

Greenville wasted little time in getting on the scoreboard, jumping out to a 3-0 lead after an inning and a half. Xander Bogaerts knocked in the Drive's first run with a two-out, RBI-single in the top of the first. An inning later, Matty Johnson line an RBI-double, and Brandon Jacobs added an RBI-single.

But that would be all the Drive could muster until regaining the lead in the top of the 11th, as the RiverDogs slowly crept back into the game. Charleston scored their only earned run off of Celestino in the bottom of the second, coming on Jose Mojica's two-out, RBI-double.

However a pair of defensive miscues by Drew Hedman at first base led to single runs in the bottom of the third and fifth innings, to tie the game.

In the end, the Drive had plenty of chances to score but lacked timely hits, leaving 11 runners on base. Greenville loaded the bases in the top of the sixth with only one out, but RiverDogs' reliever Brett Gerritse was able to get out of the jam.

The Drive and RiverDogs continue their four-game series on Thursday, with first pitch set for 7:05 PM. Right-hander Tyler Wilson (2-3, 3.80 ERA) will toe the rubber for Greenville, while Charleston counters with right-hander Shane Greene (4-12, 4.05 ERA).

The Drive return home to Fluor Field on Friday, August 26th with a crucial five-game series with the Augusta GreenJackets, that could very well determine who makes the playoffs. For more information regarding single-game tickets, luxury accommodations, group outings, and ticket plan packages call (864) 240-4500 or visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 24, 2011


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