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SAL1 Greenville Drive

Ramos' Double Gives Drive 4-3 Edge Over GreenJackets

April 21, 2012 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - Mirroring last season's club, the 2012 version of the Greenville Drive (7-10) have had a knack early on for tight ballgames. Playing in their sixth game already decided by just a single run, the Drive eked out a 4-3 win over the Augusta GreenJackets (7-9) on Saturday at Fluor Field.

With two aboard, and facing a two-strike count, Henry Ramos roped an offering from Adalberto Mejia into right-centerfield for a two-run double in the bottom of the eighth., the game's eventual game-winning hit.

For the third straight game of the series, the visiting GreenJackets plated the game's first runs, posting a three-spot in the top of the first against Luis Diaz. The right-hander was tagged for four hits in the frame, including a two-run homer by Shawn Payne.

But over the final four innings of his outing, the 20-year-old issued just a walk in the top of the second, and limited the GreenJackets to one hit in the top of the fifth. Diaz retired nine consecutive batters beginning with one out in the top of the second.

With Diaz dialed in on the mound, the Drive pulled within a run in the bottom of the fourth, needing just one hit to plate a pair of runs. Blake Swihart drew a leadoff walk, and followed with a single before a passed ball allowed both to advance. David Renfroe's groundout got Greenville on the scoreboard, and Keury De la Cruz did the same two batters later.

Matty Ott (2-1) then picked up where Diaz finished, scattering three hits and two walks in his outing, but most importantly he held the GreenJackets scoreless for three innings, while striking out two.

Although the Drive were out-hit by Augusta, they came up with timely at bats, something they lacked in close games during their recent road trip. Swihart reached by on error to kick-start the bottom of the eighth and Renfroe walked, setting up Ramos' clutch two-bagger.

Justin Erasmus tossed a perfect ninth, securing the win, en route to picking up his second save of the season.

The Drive will look to closeout their four-game series against the GreenJackets with back-to-back victories, when the teams meet again Sunday at 4:05 PM. Southpaw Henry Owens (1-1, 11.81 ERA) will toe the rubber for Greenville, while Augusta counters with Joseph Biagini (0-1, 7.50 ERA).

Sunday is "Family FunDay " at Fluor Field, where kids 12 and under get to eat free, presented by BI-LO, and then get to run the bases at the conclusion of the game, presented by BlueCross/BlueShield of South Carolina. To purchase tickets, please call (864) 240-4528 or log onto GreenvilleDrive.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 21, 2012


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