SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Record Thrilling 4-3 Walk-Off Win Over Power

Published on April 30, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - With Reymond Fuentes on third and the infield drawn in, Zach Gentile laced a hard grounder to second base, ricocheting off the glove of Jarek Cunningham and into right-field. Representing the game-winning run, Fuentes trotted home as the Drive secured a 4-3 walk-off win Friday night.

But how the Drive (14-8) and visiting Power (9-11) became knotted at 3-3, were in totally different fashions. West Virginia only had three hits, but took advantage of all them as well as two Greenville errors. The Drive, however, recorded 10 base hits but were in search of the key hit at times that never came.

Despite strong efforts from both starting pitchers - Kendal Volz of the Drive and Hunter Strickland for the Power - neither factored into the decision. An RBI-double by Dan Butler in the bottom of the second gave Greenville an early lead. But two innings later, Volz surrendered a solo homer to Jesus Brito.

Everything about Volz's outing was perfect up until that point, as he had retired the first 11 batters he faced until the roundtripper. The right-hander added a scoreless fifth for his final inning, en route to fanning a career-high six batters.

After the Power scored an unearned off Jeremiah Bayer (1-0) in the top of the sixth, the Drive answered with a pair in the home half of the inning. Derrik Gibson's RBI-single tied the game, and Chris McGuiness gave the Drive the lead when he grounded into a double play which allowed Wilfred Pichardo to score.

But West Virginia answered again in the top of the eighth on Evan Chambers' one-out, run-scoring single.

Accounting for the game-winner, Fuentes led off the ninth with an infield single. He then advanced to second on a balk and stole third, setting up Gentile's heroics.

The Drive and Power continue their four-game series Saturday night at Fluor Field with first pitch set for 7:05 PM. A pair of southpaws will duel it out as Manuel Rivera (2-1, 2.37 ERA) goes for Greenville, and West Virginia counters with Nathan Baker (1-3, 4.19 ERA).

It's also "Spectacular Saturday" tomorrow, with the entertainment theme being a safari at the ballpark. For more information regarding single-game tickets, group outings, and luxury accommodations, visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com or call (864) 240-4500.

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 30, 2010


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