Drive Put Brakes on 'Dads with Win in Series Opener
Published on June 8, 2012 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
HICKORY, NC - The Greenville Drive topped the Hickory Crawdads, 11-6, in game one of the weekend series, before 3,261 fans at L.P. Frans Stadium on Friday night.
Greenville (31-29) wasted no time getting the scoring started, plating two runs against LHP Victor Payano (L, 4-3) in the top of the first inning. After 2B Jose Garcia singled to lead off the game, he scored on an RBI double by LF Keury De La Cruz. De La Cruz scored shortly after on a delayed stolen base attempt that led to a throwing error, allowing him to score from second base and put the Drive ahead, 2-0.
Greenville added to the lead with a single run in both the second and third innings. RF Lucas LeBlanc forced in a run on a bases-loaded free pass in the second. CF Drew Turocy then shot an RBI double the opposite way to left field in the third, scoring 3B David Renfroe and putting the Drive ahead, 4-0, after three innings.
The Crawdads (32-28) initiated their offense in the bottom of the fourth inning against LHP Henry Owens (W, 6-2). All-Star SS Hanser Alberto belted the 'Dads on the board with a solo home run to start the inning. One out later, LF Jeremy Williams and 2B Drew Robinson knocked consecutive singles. Both runners moved up and CF Jordan Akins reached on a fielder's choice that failed to record an out, loading the bases with only one away. After Owens dealt a strikeout, C Kevin Torres shot a pitch the opposite way into shallow left-center field, scoring Williams and Robinson and shrinking the Drive lead to just one run, 4-3.
Owens, however, allowed no further damage through his five innings of work, surrendering just the three runs on five hits, while striking out nine Hickory batters.
In the top of the sixth inning, the Drive gained a run on a sacrifice fly from Garcia that brought LeBlanc across to score. Greenville added a second run in the inning on a groundout by DH Garin Cecchini that scored SS Bryan Johns, stretching the Drive's advantage to 6-3.
The Crawdads again chipped away in the bottom of the sixth, opening the inning with a leadoff double by Williams. He quickly cruised home on an RBI single off the bat of Robinson, bringing the 'Dads within just two runs of tying it, 6-4.
However, Greenville broke the game open in the top of the seventh inning. After the first three batters reached base on two singles and a walk, LeBlanc shot a pitch over the left field wall for a grand slam, swinging the Drive further ahead, 10-4.
LeBlanc added his fifth RBI in the top of the eighth inning with a single chopped up the middle, scoring 1B Boss Moanaroa for the 11-4 lead.
The Crawdads added two runs on solo home runs from 3B Trever Adams and All-Star CF Chris Grayson in the eighth and nine innings, respectively, but Greenville hung on for the 11-6 victory.
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