SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Roll To 10-7 Victory

Published on May 31, 2007 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - Chih-Hsien Chiang fell a double shy of the cycle and Jason Place belted his team-leading sixth homer of the year as the Drive cruised to a 10-7 victory over the visiting Crawdads Thursday night in front of 6,191 fans.

Standing at 3-for-3 in the bottom of the seventh, Chiang roped a liner down the first base line. Headed for a possible double, and the first cycle in Drive history, Hickory's Jared Keel snagged the ball out of the air for the putout. Chiang would have one more plate appearance in the eighth, but was issued a walk.

Overall the night belonged to Chiang. The designated hitter finished 3-for-4 with five RBI, including his second long ball of the season with two aboard.

After falling behind 1-0 through a half inning of play, the Drive answered with two in their first at bat. Jon Still singled home Lars Anderson and scored when Chiang delivered with a triple.

The Crawdads would retake the lead with a run in the second and two more in the third. With the score knotted at 2-2, Kristopher Watts and Keel collected RBI singles.

However, the Drive would once again coming charging back with three runs in the bottom of the third. With Manny Arambarris and Anderson aboard, Chiang sent the 1-0 offering from Mike Crotta deep.

Hickory would not go quietly though, as they tied the game in the top of the fifth. But the Drive delivered once again. After an RBI-single from Chiang, Place provided the crushing blow with a two-run shot off Basilio Alvarez (1-2) over the Green Monster. The Drive would add their final two runs when Manny Arambarris and Matt Sheely scored on wild pitches in the sixth and eighth innings, respectively.

Despite a less than spectacular start, Joseph Guerra earned the victory in his first start of the season. In 6.0 innings of work, the right-hander surrendered six runs (four earned) on nine hits and a walk. After Jordan Craft allowed a run in the seventh, Richie Lentz tossed a scoreless eighth and ninth innings, including striking out the side in the final inning, to earn his first save of the season.

The series finale between the Drive and Crawdads is Friday night with first pitch set for 7:05 PM. A spectacular fireworks display will follow the conclusion of the game.

Southpaw Dustin Richardson will take the mound for the Drive and the starting pitcher for the Crawdads has yet to be determined. Tickets for all home games can be purchased by visiting www.GreenvilleDrive.com, or by calling (864) 240-4500.

NOTES: Chiang and 3B Manny Arambarris each finished the game with three hits to lead the Drive...Arambarris has now had multiple hits in four straight games...Guerra was received earlier in the day from Extended Spring Training as C Luis Exposito was placed on the Temporarily Inactive List

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 31, 2007


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