SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Falter In Extra Innings To RiverDogs, 7-6

Published on August 18, 2006 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - The 6297 fans at West End Field were treated to some free baseball for the second consecutive night as the Drive and RiverDogs slugged it out in 12 innings Friday night. Tonight's game yielded the same results as yesterday's 14 inning marathon, a Drive loss by the score of 7-6.

Early on it looked as if the Drive would fall in regulation as the RiverDogs jumped out to a 4-0 lead with a run in the fourth and three more in the fifth. Ben Jones scored in the fourth on an Irwil Rojas groundout.

An inning later Charleston plated three unearned runs off Greenville starter Ryan Phillips. Jones led the attack with a two-out, two-run double to right.

The Drive would claw their way back into the game, cutting the ‘Dogs lead in half with two runs in the bottom of the seventh. Mickey Hall's sacrifice fly to center scored Aaron Bates, who led off the inning with a walk. Two batters later Matt Mercurio singled home Luis Soto.

Two runs in the bottom of the eighth allowed the Drive to tie the game at 4-4. Soto's RBI single scored Yahmed Yema, and an error on the play by leftfielder Tony Roth allowed Tony Granadillo to score all the way from first, tying the game.

Charleston regained the lead in the top half of the ninth of off reliever Will Mann, who was received earlier in the day from the GCL Red Sox. Tim Battle singled home pinch runner Estee Harris with two outs.

Greenville would answer right back in the bottom of the ninth. With two outs, Granadillo doubled home Christian Lara. However, Aaron Bates grounded out, stranding Yema at third, and sending the game to extra innings.

In the 11th, the RiverDogs took yet another lead when Reegie Corona hit a two-out single to right, scoring Kevin Nelson.

Once again the Drive struck back in their at bat, and once again it was by Granadillo. With two outs, Dominic Ramos stole third and then scored on Granadillo's single that hit off the top of the Green Monster.

The game finally ended when Charleston scored in the top of the 12th. Reliever Kyle Fernandes issued back-to-back walks to Marcos Vechionacci and Rojas before inducing Eduardo Nunez into a fielder's choice. Vechionacci scored the eventual game-winning run as Nelson followed with a fielder's choice.

Eric Wordekemper, who came on in relief for the RiverDogs in the 11th, pitched a perfect 12th to pick up the win.

The Drive begin a four-game series tomorrow at West End Field with the Southern Division leading Augusta GreenJackets. First pitch is set for 7:05 and Greenville will send right-hander Chris Jones to the mound.

Tickets to all Drive home games can be purchased by calling the Drive Ticket Office at 864-240-4528 or online at www.GreenvilleDrive.com.

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



South Atlantic League Stories from August 18, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central