Sports stats



SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Squash Sand Gnats, 5-1, in Series Finale

April 18, 2011 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Savannah, GA - The Drive (7-5) did Monday night what they hadn't done in the previous three games at Historic Grayson Stadium - hit with runners in scoring position. Greenville hit 5-for-14 as a team in that situation, catapulting them to a 5-1 victory over the Sand Gnats (5-6) to avoid the sweep in their first road series of the season.

Beginning in the top of the first, the Drive did something that they hadn't done since April 13th, score in their first at bat. The speedy Felix Sanchez led off with a single and proceeded to swipe his second base of the season, before scoring on Jose Garcia's bloop single to right-field.

The scoring continued in the top of the second, as Drew Hedman got the offense going with a leadoff single. The Drive were able to manufacture the run as designated hitter went to second on Sean Coyle's groundout, advanced to third when Jason Thompson laid down a bunt single, and scored on Sanchez's grounder.

In the end, the two quick runs would prove to be enough for Kyle Stroup (1-1), who picked up his first career win as a starter. The right-hander was able to get around hits in each of the first two innings without giving up a run, before the Sand Gnats scored their only run in the bottom of the third.

Stroup scattered five hits and a walk over 5.0 innings, in which he struckout six batters before turning the game over to Keith Couch out of the bullpen. A fellow righty, Couch slammed the door on Sand Gnats, tossing 4.0 shutout innings while picking up five punchouts.

Savannah's bullpen on the other hand, was not able to keep the Greenville offense in check. Once the home team turned to their relievers in the top of the fifth, the Drive took advantage. Garcia laced a one-out triple off Luis Rojas and scored as Bryce Brentz followed with an RBI-single, his team-leading 13th of the season.

The Drive would score twice more off Rojas before he was pulled in the top of the seventh. Both runs came with two outs in the inning as Christian Vazquez laced a run-scoring double, and Brandon Jacobs followed with an RBI-triple.

Eight of the Drive's nine batters recorded a hit, as Garcia led the way with a trio of hits, while Brentz, Vazquez, and Jacobs each added a pair. Coyle was the only batter not to get on by way of a hit, but did extend his on-base streak to 10 games as he drew his league-leading 15th walk.

The Drive now make the two-and-a-half hour trek from Savannah, GA to Charleston, SC where they will take on their state rival RiverDogs for a five-game set. Right-hander Anthony Ranaudo (1-0, 0.00 ERA) will look to extend his 9.0 inning scoreless streak in the opener for Greenville, while Charleston counters with right-hander Mikey O'Brien (0-1, 2.53 ERA).

Following the series in the lowcountry of South Carolina, and an off day, the Drive return home to Greenville on Monday, April 25th. For more information regarding single-game tickets, luxury accommodations, group outings, and ticket plan packages call (864) 240-4500 or visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com.

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics



South Atlantic League Stories from April 18, 2011


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