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Greenville Drive

Drive Steal Victory Away from Legends, 6-3

April 19, 2010 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Lexington, KY - If the Drive (6-6) continue the pace they are currently at, they're not only going to make opposing pitchers and catchers go out of their minds, but they are going to shatter the franchise record for stolen bases.

For the third time in 12 games this season, Greenville stole six bases. And just like the other two occurrences, it resulted in a victory as the Drive defeated the Legends (6-6) 6-3. The win allowed the Drive to split the four-game series in Lexington.

Jeremy Hazelbaker, who entered the game leading the South Atlantic League and ranked eighth in all of Minor League Baseball in stolen bases, swiped his seventh, eighth, and ninth bases. Wilfredo Pichardo who led the offense with a 3-for-4 night, pitched in with two stolen passes, while Dan Butler added his first of the season.

After the Drive jumped out to a 2-0 lead after a half inning of play on an RBI-groundout by Chris McGuiness and a sacrifice fly by Michael Almanzar, pitcher Kendal Volz (2-0) went to work on the mound.

Making his first start since joining the rotation when Drake Britton was placed on the disabled list, the two run cushion was all the former Baylor Bear needed. The right-hander tossed 5.0 scoreless frames, allowing four hits and striking out two.

Butler padded the Drive's lead to 4-0 in the top of the sixth with a two-run double, which all but sealed the win as the team's most reliable reliever, Jeremiah Bayer, emerged from the bullpen.

With the shutout still intact, the Drive plated their final two runs in the top of the eighth when Zach Gentile single home Hazelbaker, and Kenneth Roque added a sacrifice fly.

Looking to closeout the Drive's second shutout of the season, Bayer surrendered three runs in the bottom of the ninth. All three runs came with two outs as Rene Garcia belted a homer with two runners aboard. But Bayer was still able to pickup his third save.

The Drive now travel to Charleston, WV for a four-game series with the Power beginning Tuesday at Appalachian Power Park. A pair of southpaws will toe the slab for their respective team, as Manuel Rivera (1-1, 3.60 ERA) goes for Greenville and Kyle McPherson (0-2, 6.30 ERA) for West Virginia.

Following their eight-game road trip, the Drive return home to Fluor Field on Saturday, April 24th. Before the Drive return home there will be a collegiate baseball game at their home field on Thursday, April 22nd featuring Furman and Presbyterian College, and a high school contest on Friday, April 23rd between Wren and Easley. For more information regarding single-game tickets, group outings, and luxury accommodations, visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com or call (864) 240-4500.

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 19, 2010


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