Drive Tame RiverDogs Again, Win 10-4

June 2, 2012 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release

Greenville, SC - Following in suit from last night's one-sided victory, the Drive (29-26) struck early and often again on Saturday. The offense spotted Henry Owens four runs in the bottom of the first and never looked back, defeating the Charleston RiverDogs 9-4.

Sending eight of the nine batters to the plate in their first turn at bat, Greenville pounced on RiverDogs' (33-22) starting pitcher Scottie Allen (1-4). Keury De la Cruz got the onslaught started with a one-out triple, and scored on David Renfroe's single. Drew Turocy collected the team's second three-bagger of the night, knocking in Garin Cecchini Renfroe, before Blake Swihart's sac fly concluded the inning.

The lead increased to 7-0 in the bottom of the third as Cecchini led off with a single, followed by walks to Turocy and Henry Ramos to load the bases. Swihart brought everyone around to score with one-out triple.

The left-handed Owens (5-2) cruised through his first three innings, limiting the South Atlantic League's second best offense to just one hit, while striking out three. The 19-year-old had lapse, however, in the top of the fourth as Gary Sanchez belted his third homer of the series, a two-run shot to right-field.

Charleston added their final run in the top of the sixth against reliever Scott Swinson. The right-hander otherwise provided solid relief out of the bullpen, striking out three over 3.0 innings. Tyler Lockwood tossed a perfect ninth inning to closeout the game.

Greenville padded their lead in the bottom of the sixth as Jose Vinicio's groundout brought home Swihart, and Matt Marquis later scored on a wild pitch. Swihart capped his evening with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the eighth, totaling five RBI.

The Drive and RiverDogs conclude their four-game series Sunday afternoon, with first pitch set for 4:05 PM from Fluor Field. Right-hander Madison Younginer (1-5, 5.17 ERA) will toe the rubber for Greenville, while Charleston counters with right-hander Will Oliver (1-2, 3.94 ERA).

Tomorrow is SYNNEX Share the Magic Day at Fluor Field, in which a $1 from each ticket sold will benefit A Child's Haven, Clement's Kindness, Make-A-Wish Foundation of South Carolina, and Pendleton Place Children's Shelter. For ticket information, call (864) 240-4500 or visit GreenvilleDrive.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 2, 2012

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• Shorebirds and Suns Split Doubleheader - Delmarva Shorebirds
• BlueClaws Shutout 5-0 for 7th Straight Loss - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
• Fast Start Propels Greenville Past Charleston - Charleston RiverDogs
• Tourists Deliver at Home Again; 12-10 over Augusta - Asheville Tourists
• Robinson and 'Dads Walk-Off against Power, 6-5 - Hickory Crawdads
• Robinson and 'Dads Walk-Off against Power, 6-5 - Hickory Crawdads
• Johnson, Devenski Shutout BlueClaws - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
• Drive Tame RiverDogs Again, Win 10-4 - Greenville Drive
• Tourists Take Wild Affair; Jackets Fall 12-10 - Augusta GreenJackets
• Maron's Single Bounces Hoppers 2-1 Saturday - Savannah Sand Gnats
• Shorebirds Game Notes - Delmarva Shorebirds
• Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
• Second Rounder Johnson Joins Intimidators, to Start Tonight - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

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