SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive's Road Trip Ends with 4-3 Walk-Off Loss to Crawdads

Published on June 10, 2012 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Hickory, NC - If it weren't for an injury late in Spring Training, Noe Ramirez most likely would have started the season with the Drive (31-31), providing a tough one-two punch atop Greenville's rotation along with Matt Barnes. Instead, the 2011 fourth-rounder had to wait until Sunday to make his professional debut.

For Ramirez, in couldn't have gone any better as he tossed 5.0 perfect innings, striking out five. The only downside was that the Hickory Crawdads (34-28) rallied late, spoiling a victory for the former Cal State-Fullerton standout with a 4-3 walk-off win.

The 22-year-old Ramirez struckout two batters in the bottom of the first inning, and never looked back as he retired all 15 batters that he faced. The Greenville offense, meanwhile, staked Ramirez to a 3-0 lead, scoring all of their runs in the top of the third.

Matt Marquis and Jose Vinicio led off the frame with back-to-back singles, and Drew Turocy drew a one-out walk to load the bases. David Renfroe then ripped a two-run single off of Nick Martinez to break the scoreless tie. Boss Moanaroa added a sacrifice fly.

Although the Drive would not score again in the game, it appeared as if a victory was inevitable. Moving back to the bullpen after having made eight starts, Jason Garcia kept the shutout in tact by tossing a scoreless sixth inning.

The Crawdads, however, tied the game in the bottom of the seventh despite only two hits. Shortstop Jose Vinicio's 18th defensive miscue of the season on Jeremy Williams' batted ball provided the spark that Hickory needed. Trever Adams eventually delivered a two-out, two-run single to knot the score, 3-3.

While the Drive failed to put a runner on base in their final two at bats, the Crawdads rode the momentum shift in their favor for a ninth inning win. Matty Ott (4-3), Greenville's third hurler of the game, did not record an out as Drew Robinson led off the final inning with a double and scored when Williams singled to center, providing the game-winning hit.

The Drive return home to Fluor Field on Monday to closeout the home portion of the regular season's first half, hosting the Asheville Tourists for a three-game series. First pitch is set for 7:05 PM, as right-hander Yeiper Castillo (5-2, 3.90 ERA) toes the rubber for Greenville. Asheville will counter with right-hander Daniel Winkler (7-3, 5.28 ERA).

During tomorrow evening's game, the Drive will celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Girl Scouts of South Carolina - Mountains to Midlands. A pre-game "Parade of Champions" will kick-off the ceremonies, which also includes the recognition of Gold Award recipients, Scout leaders and Alumnae, while the history of the Girl Scouts will be on display around the concourse.

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 10, 2012


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