SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Outlast Catfish, 7-5, in 11 Innings

Published on May 29, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Columbus, GA - The Drive's dominance away from Fluor Field continued Thursday night in Columbus, GA, but not without a scare. The Drive (28-26) overcame a three-run deficit and a season-high five errors to defeat the Catfish (20-33) 7-5 in 11 innings at Golden Park.

Trailing 3-0 in the top of the sixth, the Drive needed just three hits to plate four runs. Manny Arambarris began the frame with a double, followed by a Che-Hsuan Lin walk, and a Ryan Kalish single to load the bases. With one swing Yamaico Navarro wiped away Columbus' lead, clearing the bases with a triple and scoring himself on a poor throw.

It didn't take long for the Catfish to answer back, tying the game in the bottom of the sixth. Mike Jones regained the lead for the Drive in the top of the eighth with a solo homer. But once again Columbus tied the game as Greg Sexton tallied a sacrifice fly.

After the Drive committed four errors through the first nine innings of the ballgame, it was Columbus' first error in the top of the 10th that led to the eventual game-winner off Kevin Bogan (0-3). With the bases loaded once again, Jered Stanley reached on a fielding error which scored Kalish. Two batters later Oscar Tejeda added an insurance run with a sacrifice fly.

Jordan Craft held the Catfish scoreless in the bottom of the 10th despite Tejeda's second throwing error, to earn his first save of the season. Although he blew the Drive's lead in the eighth, Felix Ventura (1-0) still was able to earn the win.

Eammon Portice pitched effectively for the Drive for 6.0 innings, while earning a no-decision. The right-hander surrendered four runs, only one of which was earned, on a pair of hits and two walks with five strikeouts.

The Drive and Catfish continue their four-game series tomorrow evening with first pitch set for 7:05 PM. Right-hander Terumasa Matsuo will toe the rubber for Greenville while Columbus counters with right-hander Jesse Darcy.

After a six-game road-trip, the Drive return home to Fluor Field on Wednesday, June 4th for a brief two-game series with the Augusta GreenJackets. Single-game tickets, group outings, and luxury accommodations can be purchased by calling (864) 240-4500 or visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com for more information.

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 29, 2008


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