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Greenville Drive

Who's the Boss"! Moanaroa Sparks Drive's Late Rally

May 19, 2012 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - Trailing throughout the entire game, the Drive provided the largest crowd at Fluor Field this season with some late inning heroics, scoring five times in the bottom of the eighth to defeat the West Virginia Power 7-3. It was the fifth straight win for the Drive, their longest win streak of the season as they improved to 12-5 during the month of May.

Greenville needed only two hits in what proved to be their final trip to the dish, but were able to make the Power's pitching staff pay for three free passes. Drew Turocy led off the frame with a single, and the Drive wasted little time in loading the bases as Jose Vinicio and Jose Garcia followed by drawing walks.

Turocy scotted home on a wild pitch, tying the game and Garin Cecchini was then issued an intentional walk, as West Virginia hoped for a double play chance. David Renfroe made sure that would not happen, grounding out to the right side of the infield which scored the go-ahead run, the Drive's first lead of the game. Another wild pitch from Emmanuel De Leon (1-3) gave Greenville a two-run advantage before Boss Moanaroa's towering two-run homer to centerfield padded the lead.

As the Drive had done the previous two games, the Power jumped out to an early lead, scoring two runs off Madison Younginer in the top of the first. With two outs and two aboard, Jose Osuna crushed a double right-field.

While Younginer calmed down after a shaky first, West Virginia tacked on a run in the fourth when Osuna belted a solo homer. The right-hander allowed three runs on six hits and three walks, while striking out three in 5.1 innings.

Nick Kingham on the other hand, cruised through 6.0 strong innings after a West Virginia starting pitcher had failed to make it to the third inning in either of the first two games of the series. A right-hander, Kingham struckout six and faced just two batters over the minimum.

But while Tyler Wilson and Tyler Lockwood (2-0) provided 3.2 scoreless innings in relief, the Power's bullpen faltered. Greenville pulled within a run in the bottom of the seventh on Moanaroa's RBI-single, before uncorking on West Virginia in the eighth.

The Drive will look to complete the four-game sweep of the Power as the series concludes on Sunday, with first pitch set for 4:05 PM. Left-hander Mickey Pena (3-2, 1.69 ERA) heads to the mound for Greenville, while West Virginia counters with right-hander Matt Benedict (2-3, 3.14 ERA).

Not only is it Kids Eat Free, presented by BI-LO, but kids also get to run the bases at the conclusion of the game, presented by BlueCross/BlueShield of South Carolina. Throughout the game, the Drive will be celebrating Greenville Tech's 50th Anniversary. For more information, or to purchase single-game tickets, group outings or luxury accommodations, please call (864) 240-4500 or log onto GreenvilleDrive.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 19, 2012


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