SAL1 Greenville Drive

Greenville Power's Past West Virginia in Doubleheader

Published on April 12, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Charleston, WV - Neither a day off nor the chilly temperatures in Charleston, West Virginia could cool of the Drive's hot bats, and equally impressive pitching as they swept the Power, 7-2 and 5-1, in Saturday night's doubleheader. The Drive have won their last four games, and at 6-4 are off to the franchise's best start since the 2005 season.

In game one, the Drive used a balanced offense attack as eight of the nine batters recorded at least one of the team's 13 total hits.

Trailing 2-0, Greenville plated all seven of their runs in the fifth and sixth innings. With Che-Hsuan Lin and David Marks aboard, Yamaico Navarro delivered a double right field which tied the game.

An inning later the Drive sent all nine batters to the plate and scored five runs off Curtis Pasma (0-1) to pull out the convincing victory. After Anthony Rizzo singled and Aaron Reza added a double for his third hit of the game, Pasma intentionally walked Lin to load the bases. The plan backfired as David Marks blasted a grand slam, his second round tripper of the year.

On the mound, Felix Doubront pitched effectively to improve his record to 2-0 in the early stages of the 2008 season. The lefty surrendered just two runs, only one of which was earned, on four hits while fanning seven over 5.0 innings. Daniel Bard continued his dominant start to the season out of the bullpen, finishing off the Power with 2.0 perfect frames and striking out three.

The Drive picked up where they left off in game two, as they broke a scoreless tie with a four run third inning off Power starter Mike Ramlow (1-1). After singles by Luis Exposito, Kristopher Negron, and Lin, Navarro cleared the bases with a two-out triple. Mike Jones followed suit with an RBI-single.

Two innings later Navarro collected his fourth RBI of the evening when he knocked in Negron, who led off the fifth with a triple.

Greenville's pitching stymied the West Virginia offense in game two as Eammon Portice, Chad Povich (1-0), and Felix Ventura combined on the victory. Portice fell just one out away from earning the win as he scattered five hits while striking out eight in 4 2/3 innings. The only blemish on his night was the solo homer off the bat of Ulrich Snijders.

Povich picked up his first win of the year, tossing 1 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing three Power hits and striking out three. Ventura added a scoreless ninth, but not before things got a little interesting. After retiring the first two batters, the right-hander issued three straight walks to load the bases. With the tying runner at the plate, Ventura induced Caleb Gindl into a game-ending flyout.

The Drive and Power continue their four-game series tomorrow afternoon at Appalachian Power Park with first pitch set for 2:05 PM. Southpaw Jose Alvarez will head to the mound for Greenville as West Virginia counters with Amaury Rivas.

After the four game set in West Virginia, the Drive return home to Fluor Field at the West End on Tuesday, April 15th. Jackie Robinson Day, presented by Michelin, kicks off the Drive's second home stand of the season as they host the Greensboro Grasshoppers.

For more information about single-game tickets, ticket plans, luxury accommodations, or group outings, visit www.greenvilledrive.com or call (864) 240-4500.

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 12, 2008


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