SAL Greenville Drive

Drive Blanked 2-0 in Opener in Bowling Green

Published on June 21, 2023 under South Atlantic League (SAL)
Greenville Drive News Release


The Greenville Drive (36-28) found no answer for Bowling Green Hot Rods' (29-30) pitching Tuesday night as they mustered only three hits, falling to the Hot Rods 2-0. But for Greenville, a subsequent loss in eight innings by the Winston-Salem Dash, keeps the Drive in first place and a half-game up in the South Atlantic League South Division with two games left to play in the first half.

After over an hour delay to the start of the game, thanks to rainy conditions, Bowling Green took the lead in the second inning thanks to an RBI-single off the bat of Blake Roberston who scored Nick Schnell to make it 1-0. It was almost a 2-0 lead but a great throw from right field by Bryan Gonazlez to Ronald Rosario nabbed the runner at the plate keeping the deficit at just one run.

Hot Rods starter Ben Peoples thwarted the Drive for six innings Tuesday night, allowing just three hits and a walk while he rung up six. The Drive threatened to score just once in the game, going 0-for-1 with runners in scoring position.

The Hot Rods boosted the lead to 2-0 thanks to a two-out Kenny Piper homer that cleared the wall in right center field in the bottom of the fourth.

Despite giving up the two runs and being charged with the loss, Drive starter Juan Daniel Encarnacion turned in a solid performance, going six innings while allowing the two runs on seven hits. He'd issue one walk and strikeout five before being relieved in the seventh by Graham Hoffman.

After being kept in check by Peoples, the Drive struggled against Hot Rods reliever Haden Erbe who struck out five of the six Drive batters he faced across the seventh and eighth innings.

Hoffman struck out two of three batters he faced in his lone inning of work before Alex Hoppe took over for him in the eighth. Hoppe would also pick up two strikeouts in his two innings of work.

The Drive made it interesting in the ninth, albeit momentarily, as Roman Anhtony led off the inning with a walk. Brainer Bonaci would pop up his at bat and watch it fall behind the second baseman who promptly made up for the missed routine pop-up by tossing Anthony out at second. Blaze Jordan would strikeout during the ensuing at bat with a dropped third strike that Bonaci tried to advance on but Hot Rods catcher Piper, gunned him down at second to end the ball game.

The Drive (Boston Red Sox) return to action tomorrow in Bowling Green with first pitch set for 7:35 p.m. The conclusion of the third game in Bowling Green on June 22 marks the half-way point of the 2023 season. Should the SAL South Division standings remain unchanged at the conclusion of the game, the Drive will clinch a playoff spot and be crowned the SAL South First-Half Champions. The Drive can also clinch a playoff spot tomorrow with a win against Bowling Green and a Winston-Salem loss.

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 21, 2023


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