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SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive, Intimidators Split Friday Night Twinbill at Fluor Field

May 27, 2011 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - It was a tale of two games for the Drive (23-25) and Kannapolis Intimidators during Friday's doubleheader at Fluor Field. It was the best of times in game one for the home team, and the worst of times for Kannapolis as the Drive captured an 8-1 victory. Those roles reversed in the nightcap, as the Intimidators (25-20) picked up a 6-1 win to salvage a twinbill split.

In game one, Miguel Celestino led a dual threat attack by the Drive as he took a no-hitter into the top of the fifth inning. Although it was broken up by Brady Shoemaker's leadoff homer, Greenville already staked the right-hander a seven-run lead which was more than enough.

Evening his record to 3-3 on the year, Celestino tossed 6.0 strong innings in which he allowed a run on two hits and a walk, while fanning a pair of Intimidators batters. The six-foot-six-inch, 21-year-old retired the game's first seven batters before issuing Kannapolis' first base runner with a hit by pitch.

After taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second on David Renfroe's RBI-double, the Drive exploded an inning later by sending all nine batters to the plate, en route to scoring six runs. Greenville collected seven straight hits with one out and no runners aboard, with Sean Coyle, Christian Vazquez, Henry Ramos and Renfroe each knocked in a run. Miles Head highlighted the scoring fest with a two-run home run, his 11th of the year, off of Matt Heidenreich (4-2).

Ramos added an RBI-double in the bottom of the fifth for the game's final run, as Jorge Rodriguez pitched a scoreless seventh inning, picking up a pair of strikeouts for the game one victory.

The Drive could have used some of those excess runs in game two, as they were unable to provide an offensive spark for Scott Swinson (1-1). The right-hander tossed 5.0 strong innings, striking out five, in his second start of 2011, but a two-run homer by Trayce Thompson in the top of the fourth was the only offense the Intimidators would need to win the game.

Kannapolis tacked on four more runs against reliever Tyler Lockwood in the top of the sixth to ensure the victory. Greenville's only run of the ballgame came on Miles Head's RBI-single in the bottom of the third, staking the Drive to an early 1-0 lead.

The Drive and Intimidators conclude their series on Saturday with first pitch set for 7:05 PM from Fluor Field. Right-hander Anthony Ranaudo (3-1, 3.38 ERA) will toe the rubber for Greenville in the finale, while Kannapolis counters with southpaw Spencer Arroyo (2-2, 3.97 ERA).

Breakin' B-Boy McCoy will be at the ballpark for tomorrow's game, busting out some great dance moves and skits for the fans, while also serving as the Drive's bat boy. For more information regarding single-game tickets, luxury accommodations, group outings, and ticket plan packages call (864) 240-4500 or visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com.

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