Drive Offense Explodes in 14-1 Win
August 9, 2013 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release
One night after failing to cash in on some scoring opportunities, the Greenville Drive (22-23, 44-70) scored at will on Friday, as they got on top early and cruised to a 14-1 victory over the Asheville Tourists (19-29, 56-59).
The Drive scored three runs each in the first and second against Asheville starter Matt Carasiti (2-7). Sean Coyle smacked the third pitch of the game to center field for a double and later scored on a fielder's choice by Mario Martinez. Back-to-back singles by Tim Roberson and Kendrick Perkins drove in runners and pushed the lead to 3-0.
In the top of the second, a one-out single to left by Martinez drove home Coyle and Reed Gragnani, who each singled leading off the frame. The Drive extended the lead to 6-0 when Perkins struck for another RBI single.
Dreily Guerrero got in on the action in the top of the third, as he smacked an Alving Mejias offering over the right-field wall for a solo homer, his first of the season.
The offensive outburst overshadowed a fantastic start from Greenville's Justin Haley (7-8), who allowed just one run in seven innings. He gave up five hits and did not allow a free pass while punching out a season-high nine batters.
The only run scored against Haley came courtesy of Derek Jones, who laced a line drive to center field and came all the way around to score for an inside-the-park home run.
Coyle continued his big evening in the fifth against Mejias when he drove a three-run homer to right field to make the score 10-1.
In the eighth, Martinez totaled two more RBIs by dumping a single into center to score Guerrero and Gragnani, who both singled. The Drive added two more runs in the ninth after an RBI double by Coyle and an RBI single by Gragnani.
Gerardo Olivares finished the game off for the Drive with a pair of scoreless frames.
Coyle had a huge game for Greenville, going 4-5 with a homer, four runs and four RBIs, and Gragnani collected three hits while scoring three times. Martinez added two hits and five RBIs, while Guerrero, Jesus Loya, Perkins and Roberson all chipped in with two hits each.
The Southern Division rivals will meet again on Saturday night in Asheville, with first pitch scheduled for 6:05. RHP Luis Diaz (6-4, 2.31) will take the ball for the Drive, and the Tourists will counter with LHP Jayson Aquino (0-4, 3.41).
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