SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Cruise Past RiverDogs, 7-2

Published on September 1, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Charleston, SC - Backed by a six-run second inning, the Drive (75-59, 38-25) easily defeated their cross-state rival, the Charleston RiverDogs (62-72, 31-34), 7-2, at Riley Park on Wednesday night. With the win, coupled with the Asheville Tourists loss, Greenville now holds a 1.5 game lead in the South Atlantic League's Southern Division with five games left in the regular season.

While only scoring in two different innings, the Drive did plenty of damage in their second at bat, sending 10 batters to the plate. Christian Vazquez's one-out, RBI-single off Shane Greene (0-2) broke the scoreless tie, opening the flood gates. Zach Gentile followed with an RBI-double double, and Shannon Wilkerson's fielder's choice along with an error on the play accounted for two more runs.

Selected to the South Atlantic League's end of season All-Star Team earlier in the day, right-fielder Jeremy Hazelbaker capped the inning with a two-run homer, his 12th of the year, to give Greenville a six-run advantage.

Following a leadoff walk by Kolbrin Vitek and Reymond Fuentes' single to begin the third, Greene was chased from the game after just two-plus innings. The Drive's final run came as Wilkerson lifted a sacrifice fly.

By the time the RiverDogs plated their first run in the bottom of the third on Luke Murton's sacrifice fly, the hole that they had dug themselves was too deep. Greenville starting pitcher Manuel Rivera was one out away from being able to factor into the decision, but was relieved by Tom Ebert (10-4) with two outs in the bottom of the fifth.

Rivera turned in an effective outing, however, striking out seven while allowing two runs on four hits and three walks. The right-handed Ebert surrendered just a pair of hits in 4.1 shutout frames, while striking out five.

In just his rookie season as a professional manager, the Drive's Billy McMillon has set the franchise record for wins in a season. Last season's Southern Division Championship squad won 74 games under manager Kevin Boles.

The Drive and RiverDogs conclude their four-game series on Thursday with first pitch set for 7:05 PM from Riley Park. Greenville will send southpaw Drake Britton (1-3, 3.18 ERA) to the mound, while Charleston counters with right-hander Mike Solbach (4-5, 4.09 ERA).

Following their four game set in the lowcountry, the Drive return home to conclude the 2010 regular season at Fluor Field with a four-game series against the Hickory Crawdads from September 3-6. For more information regarding single-game tickets, group outings, or luxury accommodations, call (864) 240-4500 or visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from September 1, 2010


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