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Greenville Drive

Drive Begin Final Series with 7-2 Win

August 31, 2012 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - The Greenville Drive (64-72, 30-36) would love nothing more than to end the season on a high note. They took their first step towards doing so on Friday night at Fluor Field, as solid efforts on the mound and at the plate propelled them to a 7-2 win over the Hickory Crawdads (73-63, 37-30).

A three-run third inning fueled by four consecutive hits against Hickory starter Andrew Faulkner (5-5) gave the Drive the lead. After back-to-back singles by Nick Natoli and Drew Turocy with one out, Garin Cecchini followed by stroking a liner to the wall in left-center to bring both runners home. Blake Swihart then dumped a single into shallow right, plating Cecchini for the 3-0 lead.

That was all the offense Henry Owens (12-5) would need. He fired five scoreless innings, allowing five hits and three walks while punching out four Crawdads hitters. By picking up his 12th win of the year, Owens tied the Drive franchise record previously set by Felix Doubront in 2008.

The Drive added to the lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth. Natoli singled with one out, and after a walk and a hit by pitch loaded the bases, Swihart grounded into a fielder's choice to bring home a run. Henry Ramos then grounded out to bring home another Drive runner, making the score 5-0.

The Drive would tack on single runs in the sixth and the eighth. In the sixth, Natoli smoked a liner off Crawdads reliever Victor Payano's leg, hustled his way into a double and picked up an RBI to make it 6-0. In the bottom of the eighth, Drew Turocy's two-out double down the right-field line scored Jose Garcia for the final Drive run of the evening.

Hickory hit a pair of leadoff homers in the eighth and ninth innings for their only runs of the evening. In the eighth, Drew Robinson rudely greeted Dylan Chavez with a solo bomb to center. The next inning, Alejandro Selen took a Kevin Brahney offering over the wall in right.

Natoli was the offensive star on Friday night, going 3-5 and scoring twice. Turocy added a pair of hits, while Cecchini and Swihart drove in two runs apiece. Robinson was the lone Crawdads hitter to collect two hits.

These two teams meet again on Saturday night at Fluor Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05. The Drive will send RHP Noe Ramirez (2-7, 3.99) to the mound, while Hickory counters with LHP Kevin Matthews (3-4, 4.57).

During tomorrow's game, fans can purchase a special ticket that includes an all-you-can-eat buffet in The 500 Club and watch the Clemson vs. Auburn football game, for just $12. For more information, log onto GreenvilleDrive.com or call (864) 240-4500.

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