Lavarnway, Kehrt Send Tourists Packing as Drive Win 9-1
September 5, 2009 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release
Greenville, SC - With the playoffs less than a week away, against these same Asheville Tourists (68-68, 42-25), the Drive broke loose for a 9-1 victory Saturday night at Fluor Field in front of 4,707 fans.
The Drive (71-65, 32-36) scored all of their runs during a five-inning barrage, beginning with their first run in the bottom of the second on a two-base throwing error by Tourists second baseman Carlos Martinez.
With one swing of the bat an inning later, Ryan Lavarnway gave Greenville a four-run advantage. The three-run shot off Jonnathan Aristil (4-9) gave the designated hitter 21 on the year, moving him into a tie for the single-season franchise record with Jon Still (2007) and Andrew Pinckney (2005).
Mike Thomas flexed his muscles in the bottom of the fourth, crushing a first pitch offering off the condominiums in left-centerfield for a solo homer.
Following another Lavarnway RBI in the sixth, the Drive capped their night with three unearned runs in the seventh. Reliever Kurt Yacko retired the first two batters he faced but an error on Jeremy Hazelbaker's routine grounder opened the floodgates.
Thomas DiBenedetto, Pete Hissey, and Casey Kelly all followed suit with base hits, including an RBI-double by Hissey, and a two-run single off the Green Monster for Kelly.
As solid as the offense was, the pitching was as equally impressive. Jeremy Kehrt (2-2) and Mitch Herold limited the Tourists potent offense to just four hits.
Lasting a season-high seven innings, Kehrt only threw one bad pitch as he surrendered a solo homer to David Christensen in the third. Other than that the right-hander was lights out. He allowed just one other hit and a walk, while fanning seven. Herold held Asheville scoreless over the final two innings.
The Drive and Tourists continue their four-game series, which concludes the 2009 regular season, with the third meeting on Sunday at 7:05 PM. Right-hander Brock Huntzinger (9-9, 4.21 ERA) will toe the rubber for Greenville, as Asheville counters with right-hander Alan DeRatt (2-3, 4.70 ERA).
Following Sunday's game, fans will be treated to the second post-game fireworks display of the homestand, and the final one of the 2009 regular season. For more information regarding single-game tickets, group outings, and luxury accommodations, visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com or call (864) 240-4500.
GAME NOTES:
Pete Hissey led the Drive with 3 hit and 3 runs scored...Hissey also moved into a tie for the team lead with fellow outfielder Mitch Dening with his 20th stolen base of the season...4 Tourists pitchers recorded 17 strikeouts in the loss
South Atlantic League Stories from September 5, 2009
- Legends take second straight in Bowling Green, 3-1 - Lexington Legends
- Right-hander goes six strong in 3-1 loss to Lexington - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Keithley's Walkoff Single Staves Off Disaster - Hagerstown Suns
- Pirela's Single Nets Victory Over Sand Gnats, 5-4 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Nine-run Seventh Stops BlueClaws - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Lavarnway, Kehrt Send Tourists Packing as Drive Win 9-1 - Greenville Drive
- Vaughn erupts in debut to help Kannapolis to 10-3 victory - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Power Blank Grasshoppers - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Intimidators race to win against Crawdads - Hickory Crawdads
- Surkamp's Complete Game Gives Jackets 2-1 Win - Augusta GreenJackets
- Power roster moves for September 5 - Charleston Dirty Birds
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