SAL Greenville Drive

Drive Win First Game of Second Half, 10-7 Over Hot Rods

Published on June 24, 2023 under South Atlantic League (SAL)
Greenville Drive News Release


A day after clinching the SAL South Division First-Half title and being blanked by the Bowling Green Hot Rods (31-31), the Greenville Drive (37-30) responded with a high scoring affair Friday night, beating the Hot Rods, 10-7.

The Greenville Drive put on an offensive show against the Bowling Green Hot Rods, smacking an impressive total of four home runs throughout the game. Right from the start, the Drive established their dominance, jumping to an early lead in the first inning.

Brainer Bonaci set the tone with a solo homer over right-center field that ignited the Drive's offensive spark. The hits kept coming as Miguel Ugueto laced a single to right field, driving in both Blaze Jordan and Eddison Paulino. Karson Simas then stepped up and delivered a timely single, bringing Ugueto home and extending the Drive's lead to a commanding 4-0.

The Drive's pitching did an excellent job of keeping the Hot Rods' offense in check, with Wikelman Gonzalez leading the charge. Gonzalez showcased his skills, pitching five solid innings and allowing just four hits and one run while striking out ten batters.

Bonaci added his second homer of the game in the second inning, bringing in Jonathan Diaz as well to give the Drive a 6-0 lead. Eddinson Paulino homered later in the inning with Blaze Jordan on, making it 8-0.

The Drive added to the lead in the third when a pick off attempt of Nick Decker at third allowed him to cross, boosting the lead to 9-0. The Drive added to the lead again in the fourth as sent his second homer of the game to right center field; capping the Drive scoring at 10.

Bowling Green scratched their first run across in the fifth before Wikelman Gonzalez was relieved in the bottom of the sixth inning, by Casey Cobb who took the mound, looking to maintain the Drive's advantage.

Casey Cobb stepped up, primarily shutting down the Hot Rods' offense for two innings. Cobb allowed only two runs on two hits while collecting two strikeouts before being relieved by Maceo Campbell in the bottom of the eighth.

Maceo Campbell allowed two hits, one of which was a homer by Hot Rod's Jeffry Parra which drove in three runs for the Hot Rods, closing the gap 10-6.

Alex Hoppe capped off the night for the Drive after entering the game to relieve Campbell in the bottom of the ninth. Hoppe ended his night allowing no hits and one run, finalizing the Drive's victory 10-7 after a Bowling Green groundout got the lead to within three.

The night belonged to the Drive as they start the second half of the season with a W.

The Drive (Boston Red Sox) return to action tomorrow in Bowling Green with first pitch set for 7:35 p.m. for game four of the series.

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 24, 2023


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