SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Clip Crawdads, 7-4

Published on June 18, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Hickory, NC - Already out of the race for the Southern Division's first half title, the Drive (35-33) are trying to play spoiler as the Hickory Crawdads (39-29) contend for the Northern Division crown.

And Greenville delivered a crushing blow at LP Frans Stadium on Friday, as a 7-4 victory put the Crawdads two games out of first place with only two games left to play.

Without a hit in the top of the first inning, the Drive jumped out to a 1-0 lead as the Crawdads committed three errors. All three defensive miscues came in a row during the at bats of Derrik Gibson, Chris McGuiness and Ronald Bermudez, with one out.

But the Crawdads answered by tying the game in the bottom of the third, and taking the lead with another run in the bottom of the fifth. Not one to experience control issues, Greenville starter Kendal Volz walked four batters over 4.2 innings, more than he had issued in his previous 56.1 innings.

The Drive and Crawdads continued to trade runs as Greenville regained the lead in the top of the sixth with two runs. Jeremy Hazelbaker led off the frame with a single and came around to score on Gibson's double. Another error by Hickory gave Greenville a one run advantage.

However, the Crawdads plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh as the Drive were bitten by the error bug, committing two of their own.

But by sending all nine batters to the plate in the top of the eighth, Greenville pulled away with four runs, all of which came with two outs in the innings. Playing in his first game since June 4th, McGuiness started the scoring by belting a solo homer off Tyler Tufts (0-2).

Shannon Wilkerson's RBI-single put the Drive back up by a run before All-Star catcher Dan Butler delivered a two-run single of his own.

In earning his first save of the season, Jordan Flasher tossed two perfect innings to seal the victory for the Drive. The right-hander struckout three of the six batters he faced, including two in the bottom of the ninth.

The Drive and Crawdads will continue their four-game series tomorrow, with first pitch set for 7:00 PM. Right-hander Pete Ruiz (4-4, 5.18 ERA) will toe the rubber for Greenville, while Hickory counters with left-hander Robert Erlin (2-1, 1.25 ERA).

Following the final series of the first half of the regular season, three Drive players - catcher Dan Butler, outfielder Ronald Bermudez, and pitcher Dennis Neuman - as well as manager Billy McMillon will return home to Fluor Field to participate in the 2010 South Atlantic League All-Star Game. Gates to Fluor Field will open at 5:30 PM, with the Oobe Home Run Derby slated to begin at 6 PM, and first pitch of the All-Star Game presented by BB&T at 7:15 PM.

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 18, 2010


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