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 Greenville Drive

Drive Prevail with the Long Ball, Defeat Legends 10-6

April 17, 2012 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Lexington, KY - Backed by a trio of round trippers, including the first career blast by Blake Swihart, the Drive (5-8) snapped their six-game skid by unleashing a 10-6 win over the Lexington Legends (4-9). Leading by as many as six runs, Greenville almost saw the game slip away until Keury De la Cruz belted a three-run homer in the top of the ninth to seal the victory.

The Drive quickly pounced on the Legends' Tanner Bushue (0-3), knocking him from the ballgame after completing just two innings on the mound, plating three runs each in the first and second frames. Garin Cecchini collected an RBI-single and Henry Ramos added a two-run double in the top of the first for Greenville, before Swihart sent a 2-1 offering deep to centerfield for a three-run bomb an inning later.

As he had done in each of his previous two outings, southpaw Henry Owens was dominant over his first three innings. The 19-year-old five of the first nine outs by way of strikeouts, and although he recorded three more in the bottom of the fourth, Owens was tagged for a two-run homer by Zach Johnson.

Boss Moanaroa answered with a solo homer in the top of the fifth, putting the Drive back up by five runs, but Owens' troubles would continue when he was unable to record an out in the home half of the inning. Each of the first three Legends' hitters reached base, including an RBI-double James Howick, causing Carols Febles to go to the Greenville bullpen in favor of Matty Ott (1-1).

Ott would allow both inherited runners to score, bring the Drive's lead to just 7-5, before getting out of the bottom of the fifth. Lexington would pull within a run in the bottom of the sixth, thanks in part to a failed pickoff by Ott .

Neither team would score in the seventh nor the eighth inning, before De la Cruz allowed his teammates to breathe easy with his three-run blast to centerfield.

Justin Erasmus shut the door on the Legends, tossing two perfect innings while striking out four to end the game and earn his first save of the season.

The Drive and Legends meet in the rubber match of the three-game series on Wednesday, with first pitch set for 10:05 AM from Whitaker Bank Park. Right-hander Matt Barnes (1-0, 0.00 ERA) looks to extend his scoreless inning streak as he heads to the hill for Greenville, while Lexington counters with right-hander Jonas Dufek (0-0, 6.00 ERA).

The Drive return home to Fluor Field on Thursday, April 19th for a four-game series versus the Augusta GreenJackets . Dollar Drink Night kicks-off the Drive's brief stint at home, where fans can purchase 12 ounce Pepsi products at any of the concession stands for just $1. Those fans at least 21-years-of-age, can head over to The 500 Club for beverage specials. To purchase tickets, please call (864) 240-4528 or log onto GreenvilleDrive.com.


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South Atlantic League Stories from April 17, 2012


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