SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Clinch 2nd Half Southern Division Title

Published on September 5, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - Maybe not the way the ideal way they wanted to get in the playoffs, but nonetheless, the Drive (77-61, 41-27) clinched the second half Southern Division Championship on Sunday despite a 4-3 loss to the Hickory Crawdads (74-64, 34-34).

Greenville's second consecutive trip to the playoffs was sealed when they were still in the top of the seventh, as the Asheville Tourists lost to the Savannah Sand Gnats, 5-1.

Trailing 4-0 after five and a half innings, the Drive attempted a late rally. With two outs and no runners aboard, Jeremy Hazelbaker and Vladimir Frias each laced a single before Reynaldo Rodriguez ripped a two-run triple.

An inning later, Wilfred Pichardo led off with a pinch hit single and promptly swiped second and third base. The speedster crossed home on Christian Vazquez's ground out, cutting the Drive's deficit to one.

It would be the closest Greenville would get, as they were held scoreless over their final two at bats.

Hickory did all of their damage in the top of the first, chasing starting pitcher Ryan Pressly (5-7) from the game after recording just two outs. The first five batters all reached base, accounting for three runs before the right-hander was able to induce Yefry Castillo a groundout. Matt West added an RBI-single capped the four-run inning.

Following the tough first inning, the Drive's bullpen mowed down the Crawdads as relievers Tom Ebert, Jordan Flasher, and Dennis Neuman combined for 8.2 shutout frames.

Ebert led the trio of right-handers, allowing just two hits and a walk, while fanning nine in 4.1 innings before giving way to Flasher. The former George Mason standout picked up right where Ebert had left off, chipping in with 3.0 scoreless innings, surrendering a pair of hits and striking out five.

Before hosting Game 1 of the Southern Divisional Championship Series at Fluor Field on Wednesday, the Drive will closeout the 2010 regular season on Monday against the Crawdads with first pitch set for 2:05 PM. Greenville will send right-hander Yeiper Castillo (4-4, 3.24 ERA) to the hill, while Hickory counters with right-hander Jake Brigham (5-5, 3.51 ERA).

Tickets for Wednesday's playoff game against Savannah, which has a first pitch time of 7:05 PM, as well as the South Atlantic Championship Series are now on sale. For more information regarding single-game ticket, luxury accommodations, and group outings, call (864) 240-4500 or visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from September 5, 2010


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