SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

Drive Cruises Past RiverDogs

Published on May 5, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


CHARLESTON, SC - Zach Gentile went 3-for-3 and drove home three runs to lead the Greenville Drive to a 9-2 victory in South Atlantic League action early Tuesday afternoon in front of an Education Day crowd of 4,967 at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.

With the victory, Greenville takes the four-game series 3-to-1 and improves to 15-11 on the season while Charleston evens its record to 13-13.

The Drive struck first in the top of the second to take an initial 2-0 advantage when Pete Hissey reached on a fielding error. Kade Keowen followed with a line drive single that moved Hissey to third. With runners on the corners, Gentile singled up the middle that plated Hissey for the game's first run and advanced Keowen to third. Oscar Tejeda added a sacrifice fly to left that scored Gentile for the inning's second run.

Charleston cut the deficit in half to 2-1 in the home bottom of the third frame when Walter Ibarra reached on an infield single and then stole second. Ray Kruml followed with an additional infield single that advanced Ibarra to third. Kruml stole second base but Drive catcher Tim Federowicz's throw was misplayed by shortstop Tejeda, and Ibarra scampered home for the RiverDogs first run.

Greenville recaptured a two-run lead in the top of the fourth when David Mailman drew a leadoff walk and then trotted to second when Hissey walked. Mailman and Hissey reached scoring position having successfully completing a double steal. Gentile then lifted a sacrifice fly to right that drove in Mailman for the Drive's third run.

The Drive broke open the game in the home half of the eighth and took a commanding 9-1 lead when Greenville sent 11 men to the plate and scored six runs on eight hits - six singles and two doubles - off of Charleston reliever Ryan Flannery.

Charleston chipped a final run in the home half of the eighth when Kruml led off the inning by being hit by a pitch and then sprinted around the bases to score on David Adams' double to center.

Greenville starter Brock Huntzinger (2-0) earned the victory as he pitched 5.2 innings and allowed one run on four hits while striking out six and walking three. Reliever Armando Zerpa threw1.2 innings and also allowed one run on a hit while walking one and striking out two while Lane McClain came on in the eighth and permitted a pair of knocks while fanning four.

RiverDogs starter Andrew Brackman (0-4) continued to struggle as he lasted only four innings while allowing three runs on two hits while walking three and striking out three. Relievers Casey Erickson, Flannery and Brad Rulon combined to pitch five innings and surrendered six runs on 11 hits while striking out five.

Greenville collected 13 runs on the day with Gentile leading the way with three while Anthony Rizzo, Mailman and Hissey each recorded two. Leadoff batter Tejeda also had two RBI on the day.

Charleston recorded seven hits with Taylor Grote leading the way with a pair.

The eight-game homestand continues as Charleston welcomes the Asheville Tourists for a four-game set beginning Wednesday at 8:05 p.m. The RiverDogs will send former Clemson righty D.J. Mitchel (4-0, 2.10 ERA) to the mound while the Tourists counters with righty Dan Houston (0-1, 4.41 ERA).

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 5, 2009


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