SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Ripped by Sand Gnats, 9-1, to Begin Road Trip

Published on August 8, 2012 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Savannah, GA - The Savannah Sand Gnats offense erupted with seven runs in their final two turns at bat to turn a one-run game into a 9-1 blowout, giving the Drive a harsh start to their brief road trip.

The Gnats (60-53, 19-27) scored the game's first run in the bottom of the first inning. Gilbert Gomez tripled up the left-centerfield gap and came home on Cam Maron's RBI groundout to secondbase.

The Drive (56-59, 22-23) scored their only run against Savannah starter Alex Panteliodis on doubles from Keury De La Cruz and Boss Moanaroa to even the game at 1-1. Panteliodis finished six innings, allowing just one run on seven hits while striking out eight batters without issuing a walk. In his last four starts, he has struck out 34 batters and issued only three walks in his last 25 innings.

Savannah took the lead for good in the bottom of the fourth. Dustin Lawley doubled, and with two outs, came home on Gregory Pron's flare into shallow rightfield for a 2-1 lead. Pron finished 3-for-4 with three RBI.

The Gnats began their late scoring binge in the seventh inning. Brandon Brown snapped an 0-for-22 skid with a two-run homerun that put the Gnats up 4-1.

Savannah put the game well out of reach with a five-run eighth inning, in which 10 batters came to the plate. Pron and Gomez each contributed two-run singles in the frame. Gome was 3-for-5 with a triple and two RBI.

The Drive and Sand Gnats continue their four-game series on Thursday, with first pitch set for 7:05 PM from Grayson Stadium. Right-hander Jason Garcia (5-5, 6.17 ERA) will head to the mound for Greenville while Savannah counters with left-hander Jimmy Fuller (3-4, 7.22 ERA).

The Drive return home on Monday, August 13th for a three-game series versus the first place Rome Braves. Greenville Hospital System's Centennial Celebration, in which they are "buying out the ballpark" for the Upstate community, kicks off the short home stint. For more information regarding single-game tickets, group outings and hospitality accommodations, log onto GreenvilleDrive.com or call (864) 240-4500.

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 8, 2012


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