Drive Steers by 'Dads, 4-1

August 3, 2012 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release

GREENVILLE, SC - The Greenville Drive took the series opener, 4-1, against the Hickory Crawdads, before 3,605 fans at Fluor Field in Greenville on Friday night.

The Drive (21-20, 55-56) raced in front with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first frame against LHP Victor Payano (L, 5-7). With one down, DH Keury De La Cruz and 3B Garin Cecchini both got on with base hits. After a pitch came in to 1B David Renfro and as C Kellin Deglan was throwing the ball back to Payano, De La Cruz broke for third base on a delayed steal attempt. Payano tried to throw him out at third but delivered an errant throw that enabled De La Cruz to score on the play, as well as Cecchini to move up to second. Cecchini then swiped third base, before scoring on an RBI fielder's choice by RF Henry Ramos later in the inning, making it 2-0.

Greenville stretched the lead with one more run in the bottom of the third. With runners at the corners and two down, C Jordan Weems ripped an RBI single up the middle, plating Ramos from third base for the 3-0 lead.

Hickory (22-20, 58-53) chipped the deficit down against RHP Noe Ramirez (W, 2-3) in the top of the sixth inning. With two away and the bases clear, 3B Drew Robinson launched a solo home run over the right field wall, bringing the 'Dads within two runs, 3-1.

Crawdads LHP Andrew Faulkner kept the 'Dads close with five total innings of relief, though the Drive did register an unearned run in the bottom of the eighth inning, stretching it to 4-1.

RHP Nefi Ogando and RHP Tyler Lockwood (S, 7) combined for three scoreless relief frames for Greenville, closing the 4-1 win for the Drive.

South Atlantic League Stories from August 3, 2012

• T's Snatch Game One from the 'Gnats - Asheville Tourists
• Shorebirds Fall 7-4 in Game One to Greensboro - Delmarva Shorebirds
• Rome wins record 12th straight Kannapolis native Query 2-for-4 with 2 RBI - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
• Drive Pick-Up Series Opening Win - Greenville Drive
• Skole's Legendary Walk-Off Grand Slam Lifts Suns over Lexington - Hagerstown Suns
• RiverDogs Take Weather Shortened Game 2-1 - Charleston RiverDogs
• Drive Steers by 'Dads, 4-1 - Hickory Crawdads
• Power Arms Maintain Hold on First - Charleston Dirty Birds
• 'Claws Shutout by Power, 2-0 - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
• Charleston Downs GreenJackets in Rain-Shortened Game on Friday - Augusta GreenJackets
• Hickory Metro Sports Commission Selected to Host Great Smokies Basketball Shootout - Hickory Crawdads
• Shorebirds Game Notes: at Greensboro - Delmarva Shorebirds
• Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
• Legends Take Third Straight over Asheville, 9-5 - Lexington Legends
• Mayo's Home Woes Continue; T's Fall 9-5 - Asheville Tourists

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