SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Hold off RiverDogs, 4-3, to Clinch Series Win

Published on August 2, 2012 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - For the second time this week, the Greenville Drive (54-56, 20-20) took an early lead over the Charleston RiverDogs (56-51, 18-23) only to make things interesting in the later innings. Unlike Monday, however, the Drive were able to avoid extra innings. Nathan Striz recorded a pair of strikeouts with the tying and go-ahead runners on base in the ninth, picking up his sixth save and allowing the Drive to hold on to a 4-3 victory on Thursday night at Fluor Field.

Charleston scored all three of their runs in the top half of the ninth against Drive reliever Dylan Chavez. Cito Culver led off with a double off the Green Monster in left. After advancing on a groundout, he scored when Robert Refsnyder lined a single to left to break up the shutout. Dante Bichette Jr. then ripped a single off the Monster to put runners on first and second. Striz came on and promptly walked Ali Castillo to load the bases. Francisco Arcia proceeded to line a single to left, scoring two and making it 4-3 before Striz bore down and finished the RiverDogs off.

Greenville received a gem from starting pitcher Mike McCarthy (3-4). He threw seven shutout innings, allowing just five hits with no walks and one strikeout. It was his third consecutive start in which he didn't allow a run. The RiverDogs also got a solid outing from their starter, Will Oliver, who took the loss to drop to 3-5. He allowed eight hits and two earned runs in six innings while punching out three Drive hitters.

Greenville scratched across the first run of the game in the bottom of the third. Jose Garcia doubled to the wall in left with one out, advanced to third on a wild pitch and came in to score on a groundout from Keury De la Cruz. They added another run in the sixth when Garin Cecchini and Boss Moanaroa hit back-to-back singles to lead off the frame. Cecchini then scored on Henry Ramos' double-play groundball.

The Drive scored a pair of pivotal runs in the seventh. Nick Natoli walked on four pitches to lead off the inning against RiverDogs reliever Joel De la Cruz and stole second during the next at-bat. With one out, Jose Vinicio lined an RBI single to center and advanced to second on the throw home. He quickly swiped third base, and following Garcia's walk, Keury De la Cruz lined a single through the right side to make the score 4-0.

Cecchini, Moanaroa and Cody Koback all recorded a pair of hits for the Drive. De la Cruz added a pair of RBIs. Ben Gamel and Bichette Jr. led the way for the RiverDogs with two hits, while Arcia drove in two.

The Drive open up a four-game series with the Hickory Crawdads at Fluor Field beginning on Friday night. First pitch is set at 7:05. RHP Noe Ramirez (1-3, 3.35) will start for the Drive, while Hickory is scheduled to send LHP Victor Payano (5-6, 4.78) to the mound.

Following tomorrow night's game, fans will be treated to a spectacular fireworks display, set to the hit songs of the early 2000's. For more information regarding single-game tickets, luxury accommodations, and group outings, call (864) 240-4500 or log onto GreenvilleDrive.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 2, 2012


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