Drive's Pitching Trio Blanks Tourists, 3-0
Published on June 26, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release
Asheville, NC - The Drive (40-30, 1-1) pitching staff continued to shine Friday night, showing why they are the premier group of hurlers in the South Atlantic League, picking up their league-leading 10th shutout of the season.
Nick Hagadone continued his comeback from Tommy John Surgery, combining with relievers Caleb Clay and Mitch Herold on the five-hit blanking, defeating the Asheville Tourists (27-44, 1-1) 3-0 at McCormick Field.
Following two scoreless innings by both teams to start the game, the Drive broke through with a pair of runs in the top of the third. Ryan Dent led off the frame with a single, swiped his 11th base and scored on Ryan Lavarnway's first of two RBI-doubles. With two outs in the inning, Ty Weeden doubled home Lavarnway.
Lavarnway knocked in Greenville's final run in the top of the fifth. David Marks drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on Dent's sacrifice bunt, setting up Lavarnway's second two-bagger.
Although the Drive did not plate another run, the offense continued to roll collecting five more hits in the final four innings. With 12 hits, it was the eighth time in the last nine nine-inning games that Greenville totaled double-digit hits. Nine of the Drive's 10 batters recorded a hit, with Dent, Lavarnway, and Kade Keowen each recorded two hits.
Following Hagadone's 2-1/3 scoreless innings in which he allowed three hits, a walk, and struckout two, Clay (3-3) took over. The Cullman, Alabama native surrendered two hits and retired the final 12 batters he faced over 5-2/3 before giving way to Herold.
Herold held Asheville hitless in their final at bat, erasing a leadoff walk to Joe Massey by inducing Carlos Martinez into a double play. The southpaw then got Beau Seabury to groundout to earn his fourth save of the season.
The Drive and Tourists will meet again Saturday night in game three of the four-game series with first pitch set for 7:05 PM. Greenville will send right-hander Brock Huntzinger (5-3, 3.52 ERA) to the hill as Asheville counters with right-hander Parker Frazier (3-5, 5.50 ERA).
The Drive return home to Fluor Field and begin the home portion of the second half of the regular season on the Saturday, July 4th. First pitch is set for 6:05 PM as Fluor Field will stay open after the game for fans to view the City of Greenville's fireworks from the field. Single-game tickets, group outings, and luxury accommodations can be purchased by calling (864) 240-4500 or visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com for more information.
South Atlantic League Stories from June 26, 2009
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- Legends, Hot Rods Split Two - Lexington Legends
- Power Earn Victory - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Drive's Pitching Trio Blanks Tourists, 3-0 - Greenville Drive
- Crawdads Come From Behind for 4-3 Walk-off Win in 12th - Hickory Crawdads
- Right-Hander Earns second Straight Win - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Home Runs Power Jackets to 9-1 Win - Augusta GreenJackets
- Sand Gnats Silence RiverDogs, 5-0 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Carson, Cruz Lead Gnats To Shutout - Savannah Sand Gnats
- BlueClaws Shorebords PPD - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Legends weekend highlighted by Military Appreciation Night - Lexington Legends
- Gerry Rodriguez Activated - Rome Emperors
- Second Half Starts With a Bang at The Joe - Charleston RiverDogs
- Adams and Brewer Promoted to Tampa - Charleston RiverDogs
- Grasshoppers Start Second Half With Tough Loss - Greensboro Grasshoppers
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