SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Hook Catfish, 5-4

Published on June 16, 2007 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - For the third straight game the Drive offense got off to a quick start, and once again it yielded the same results, victory. However, Saturday night's affair with the Columbus Catfish was a little bit more of a nail biter as the Drive squeaked out a 5-4 win.

Argenis Diaz got the Drive going in the bottom of the first with a leadoff double and scored two batters later as Lars Anderson roped a double of his own to deep center. It was the first run that Catfish starter Jeremy Hellickson (4-2) had allowed in two road starts, spanning 12.0 innings.

Columbus answered immediately in the top of the second, plating one run off starter Daniel Bard. Nevin Ashley was the recipient of a leadoff walk, and was able to advance to third on a groundout and a passed ball. He then scored on Seth Dhaenens two-out single.

In the bottom of the third the Drive used four singles to plate two runs and break the 1-1 tie. Kristopher Negron and Diaz led off the frame with consecutive singles, before Anderson line a one-out single of his own. With the sacks full, Jon Still singled in two runs, giving the Drive a 3-1 lead.

The Catfish were able to claw back once again, however, tying the game in the top of the fifth with two runs of their own. Bard surrendered an RBI single to Joey Callender and a sacrifice fly to Desmond Jennings before recording the final out of the inning.

The University of North Carolina product left the game a recipient of a no-decision. In 5.0 innings Bard allowed three runs, two earned, on three hits and two walks while striking out three.

Reliever Jorge Rodriguez (2-0) got off to a rocky start, giving up a solo shot to Cesar Suarez, the first batter he faced. It was the first time in 24.0 innings of the series that the Catfish had a lead on the Drive.

However, once again the Drive offense proved too much for the Catfish as they regained the lead with two runs in the sixth. Anderson led off with his second two-bagger of the evening and Still followed with a monster homer to right. It was his third long ball in as many days.

With closer Joshua Papelbon unavailable due to pitching the previous two nights, Brian Steinocher filled in nicely. The former starter turned reliever tossed 2.0 perfect innings, fanning two to pick up his first save of the year.

The Drive will look to closeout the first half of the season with a sweep when they send southpaw Dustin Richardson to the mound Sunday afternoon. The Catfish will counter with their fourth consecutive right-hander with Heath Rollins. First pitch is set for 4:05 PM.

Sunday is also "Family FunDay" and the Drive will be celebrating Father's Day as well. At the conclusion of Sunday's game fathers and their children will have the opportunity to play catch on the field. In addition Greenville Hospital System will be providing prostate cancer awareness on the concourse and Russ Cassel, a prostate cancer survivor and talk show host on WORD-AM, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 16, 2007


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