SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Outlast RiverDogs, 3-2, in 11 Innings

Published on May 13, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Charleston, SC - Runs came at a premium in the latter part of Tuesday's match-up between the Drive and Charleston RiverDogs. But Greenville (21-18) was able to break a 2-2 tie in the top of the 11th and hold on to a 3-2 victory against their cross-state rival.

With one out in the 11th, Yamaico Navarro capped a 3-for-5 night with a single. After Mike Jones followed with a single of his own, both runners moved into scoring position on Luis Exposito's groundout. Navarro then scored the eventual game-winner on a Chase Vacek (2-1) wild pitch.

The Drive and RiverDogs (26-12) traded runs early on as both teams scored twice in the first three innings. Che-Hsuan Lin began the game with a leadoff single, swiped his team-leading 16th base of the season and then scored on Mike Jones' single. Charleston counter in their first at bat as Jesus Montero hit an RBI-double off Eammon Portice.

An inning later, Charleston took their only lead of the game as Austin Krum singled in a run. This time Greenville answered back in the top of the third as Kristopher Negron doubled, stole third, and scored on Ryan Kalish's groundout.

From the fourth inning through the top of the ninth, the Drive pitching staff was perfect. In the final three innings of his outing, Portice did not allow a walk nor a hit while recording five of his career-high nine strikeouts.

The bullpen continued the trend of perfection as Daniel Bard tallied three strikeouts in two perfect innings. The RiverDogs did not record their first hit since the third inning until Walter Ibarra hit a one-out single off Chad Povich (5-0) in the top of the 10th.

The Drive offense was held in check for most of the evening as well, totaling just three hits from the fourth through the 10th innings, with only one baserunner reaching second base.

The Drive and RiverDogs continue their four-game series at Joseph P. Riley Park tomorrow with first pitch set for 7:05 PM. Right-hander Terumasa Matsuo will toe the rubber for Greenville as Charleston counters with right-hander Jason Stephens.

Following their four-game set with the RiverDogs, the Drive will then travel to Savannah for a four-game showdown with the Sand Gnats. The Drive return home to Fluor Field on Tuesday, May 20th for an 8-game home stand that begins with these same Charleston RiverDogs.

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



South Atlantic League Stories from May 13, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central