SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive feast on Crawdads, 12-2

Published on June 25, 2006 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Hickory, NC - The Greenville Drive offense exploded for 12 runs on 12 hits Sunday evening against the Hickory Crawdads to closeout the four game series at L.P. Frans Stadium with a 12-2 victory. Outfielder Yahmed Yema led the attack, going 3-for-5 at the dish, including his sixth home run of the season and collecting five RBI.

After two scoreless innings, the Drive finally broke through against Crawdads starter Kyle Pearson with a run in the top of the third. Catcher Mike Leonard led off the inning with a solo shot to left. It was Leonard's second home run of the season.

The Drive plated three more runs in the top of the fourth to take a 4-0 lead. Second baseman Dominic Ramos led off the inning with a single and Yema, the very next batter, followed with a triple to center. Two batters later, first baseman Logan Sorensen walked and stole second. With two outs, Leonard singled between first and second, knocking in Yema and Sorensen.

Another run in the top of the fifth extended Greenville's lead to 5-0. With two outs, Ramos singled and stole second for his third swipe of the season. Yema then followed with a single to left, plating Ramos.

The Crawdads would score their only two runs in the bottom of the fifth, cutting their deficit to three runs. However it was as close as they would get. Brent Lillibridge and John Santiago each reached base by a walk from reliever Ismael Casillas. Two batters later Brad Corley doubled home both runners.

Greenville would add six runs in the top of the sixth to take a commanding 11-2. Sorensen led off with a walk from Crawdads reliever Jacob Cuffman and then stole his second base of the night. After Leonard walked, both runners scored when Zak Farkes reached on an error. Christian Lara then singled which allowed Farkes to advance to third. The Drive then executed a double steal, as Farkes stole home and Lara picked up his 17th steal of the season by swiping second. Derek Antelo then came in to relieve Cuffman and promptly gave up a three-run homer to Yema.

The Drive would add one final run in the top of the ninth to give themselves a double-digit lead. Farkes singled home Sorensen who had led off the inning with a single.

Despite allowing the Crawdads two runs in 3.0 innings of work, Casillas (3-4) picked up the victory in relief of starter Ryan Phillips. Phillips, who was making his third start since coming off the disabled list, tossed 4.0 shutout innings allowing three hits and three walks while striking out six. Hunter Jones pitched a perfect eighth and ninth innings, while punching out two batters, to close out the game.

The Drive return home to West End Field on Monday, June 26th when they begin an eight-game home stand beginning with the Lexington Legends for a four-game showdown. Greenville will send All-Star right-hander Chris Jones to the mound as Lexington will counter with right-hander Levi Romero.

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.

NOTES: Dominic Ramos (2-for-3), Yahmed Yema (3-for-5), and Mike Leonard (2-for-3) each chipped in with multiple hits...Leonard also had 3 RBI and Ramos scored 3 times...Eight of the Drive's 10 batters had at least one hit...The Drive totaled five stolen bases

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 25, 2006


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