SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Drop Second Straight to Crawdads, 7-4

Published on August 5, 2012 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - Fluor Field was home to a laser show on Sunday afternoon, as the Greenville Drive (55-58, 21-22) and the Hickory Crawdads (60-53, 24-20) combined for 26 hits. The Crawdads won the hit battle 15-11, and they also won the category that counts, defeating the Drive by a score of 7-4.

The Crawdads began their winning rally by scoring a pair in the top of the eighth against Drive reliever Dylan Chavez (0-1). Trever Adams drew a leadoff walk, and two batters later, Jordan Akins smacked a double deep to right-center that plated Adams and gave the Crawdads the lead. Later in the frame, Rougned Odor laced a double down the right field line against new pitcher Nate Striz that brought Akins home and made the score 6-4.

Hickory added a single run for good measure in the ninth against Striz. Adams hit a two-out single and came all the way around on a double to right by Kellin Deglan. The late runs made a winner out of Hickory reliever Taylor Dennis (3-0), who threw three scoreless frames. Phil Klein threw two scoreless innings to finish the game and pick up his seventh save of the year.

The Crawdads scratched the first run of the game across in the second against Drive starter Luis Diaz. Deglan and Akins led off the inning with back-to-back singles, and after pulling off a double steal, Deglan came in to score on Hirotoshi Onaka's sacrifice fly to left.

Greenville finally got on the board in the bottom of the fourth against Crawdads starter Nick Martinez. Keury De la Cruz smoked a triple high off the center field wall to lead off the inning. Martinez almost got out of trouble by coaxing a pair of pop-ups, but Henry Ramos came up with two outs and launched a two-run homer to right, giving the Drive a 2-1 lead.

The Drive scored two more runs in the fifth to chase Martinez from the game. Cody Koback singled to left to lead things off, then scooted to third on De la Cruz's double to right. Dennis came in and served up a two-run single to Boss Moanaroa, which extended Greenville's lead to 4-1.

The Crawdads answered right back with three runs in the top half of the sixth. Adams doubled to begin the frame, and Deglan quickly followed with a double of his own, cutting the Drive lead to 4-2. After a walk to Akins and a sacrifice bunt, Diaz was pulled for Chavez, who was rudely greeted by a two-run single from Onaka to tie the game.

Deglan and Akins each picked up three hits on the afternoon for the Crawdads. Odor, Zach Cone and Adams added two hits apiece. The Drive got two hits from Koback, De la Cruz, and David Renfroe, while Moanaroa and Ramos each drove in a pair.

These two teams conclude their four game series on Monday night at Fluor Field. First pitch will be at 7:05. LHP Mickey Pena (5-5, 2.60) will come off the disabled list and make the start for Greenville, while Hickory will counter with RHP Jerad Eickhoff (11-4, 4.79).

Throughout tomorrow's game the Drive will recognize the Boy Scouts of the Blue Ridge Council, beginning with a pre-game "Parade of Champions" around the warning track at Fluor Field. For more information regarding single-game tickets, group outings, and luxury accommodations call (864) 240-4500 or log onto GreenvilleDrive.com.

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



South Atlantic League Stories from August 5, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central