SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive End Homestand with 5-4 Walk-Off Win

Published on August 26, 2012 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - The Greenville Drive (61-71, 27-35) are perfectly content with saving their big hits for the end of the game as of late. On Sunday afternoon at Fluor Field, the late-inning heroics of Boss Moanaroa and Drew Turocy propelled the Drive to a 5-4, walk-off win over the Asheville Tourists (83-50, 36-27). The win clinched a 3-1 series victory for the Drive, and it concluded a 4-4 homestand.

The winning rally in the bottom of the ninth began with Nick Natoli, who was hit by a pitch. After Cody Koback's laid down a sac bunt, Garin Cecchini was intentionally walked. Moanaroa made Tourists reliever Jefri Hernandez (5-1) pay, as he lined a single over the second baseman, and Natoli streaked around third and beat the throw home to give the Drive the win.

After David Kandilas' RBI single in the top of the eighth gave Asheville a 4-2 lead, Turocy provided the answer in the bottom half for the Drive. Henry Ramos singled with one out, and Turocy smacked a Nelson Gonzalez offering over the wall in right-center to tie the game.

The late inning heroics gave Drive reliever Kevin Brahney (2-1) the win. He allowed one run in two innings of work. He followed Dylan Chavez on the mound, who threw two and a third shutout frames in relief.

The Drive scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the first. Cecchini drew a two out walk, stole second, and came in to score when Moanaroa singled to center field.

Asheville quickly countered with two runs in the second. Will Swanner led off with a single to center, and Jordan Ribera crushed a two-run shot to right-center against Drive starter Kyle Kraus to give the Tourists a 2-1 lead.

The Tourists scored a single run in the fourth. Ribera doubled to center with one out and came in to score on a sacrifice fly by Kandilas. The Drive plated a run in the bottom half when Turocy and Jose Garcia each hit infield singles and Jordan Weems lined a double into left to bring home Turocy.

Moanaroa and Turocy each picked up two hits and two RBIs in the ballgame. Ramos and Weems also collected two hits apiece. For Asheville, Ribera led the way offensively, going 3-3 with three runs and two RBIs. Kandilas had two hits and drove in a pair, while Ryan Casteel chipped in with two hits of his own.

The Drive have an off day on Monday and will hit the road on Tuesday to begin a three-game set with the Kannapolis Intimidators. RHP Madison Younginer (1-6, 5.33) returns from injury to start for the Drive, while the Intimidators are scheduled to send RHP Euclides Leyer (1-1, 5.70) to the mound.

The Drive return home to Fluor Field on Friday, August 31st to closeout the 2012 season with a four-game series against the Hickory Crawdads. The final homestand kicks-off with a bang, with the final Friday Night Fireworks show of the season. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Fluor Field Box Office, calling (864) 240-4528, or logging onto GreenvilleDrive.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 26, 2012


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