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SAL Greenville Drive

Mayer Stellar Again as Drive Clobber Asheville, 13-5

May 6, 2023 - South Atlantic League (SAL)
Greenville Drive News Release


For the second time in the series, Marcelo Mayer's stellar night at the plate fueled the Greenville Drive's (11-14) winning effort, as he rattled off a 3-for-6 night that included a home run, a double and 5 RBIs to secure the Drive's 13-5 victory over the Asheville Tourists (9-15) and secure the Drive's first series win of the season.

Mayer's efforts weren't the only offensive output either, as both Chase Meidroth and Nathan Hickey contributed solid nights at the plate. The trio of Meidroth, Mayer and Hickey combined for nine RBIs on the night and two home runs, while Hickey went 3-for-4 with a homer and Meidroth turned in a 2-for-5 night which included a double.

Max Ferguson, while 1-for-2 on the night, drew two walks, stole three bases and accounted for three of the Drive's 13 runs.

The offensive attack wouldn't be a slow-build either, as the Drive set the tone early as Max Ferguson singled on the first pitch of the ball game before Mayer and Nathan Hickey launched back-to-back homers in the top of the first, their third and fourth of the year respectively, to make it, 3-0.

The Tourists plated two in their half of the first thanks to an RBI double and a groundout that was enough to eke out a run to make it 3-2. But the Drive would open the flood gates in the fourth, scratching across four runs thanks to some plate discipline and three-straight hits.

Back-to-back one-out walks set up a Chase Meidroth 2-RBI double to put the Drive up 5-2. Mayer slapped a single up the middle to score Meidroth and make it 6-2. Mayer would steal second and score on the ensuing Hickey single to round out the scoring and put the Drive ahead for good, 7-2.

Beyond the offensive thrashing, Drive starter Grant Gambrell settled in after the first inning and dealt from the mound, allowing just two runs on seven hits while ringing up eight without issuing a walk.

The Drive's barrage from the dish continued in the sixth as Ferguson and Meidroth were both hit by pitches to lead off the inning and moved to second and third respectively on a wild pitch. Mayer blasted a double off the wall in right during the ensuing at-bat, to plate the runners and make it 9-2. Hickey would reach on a throwing error that plated Mayer and eventually score on a balk by Tourists' pitcher Brayan De Paula to make it 11-2. Miguel Ugueto capped off Drive scoring in the eighth, with a double that plated two runs making it, 13-2.

Drive relievers would continue Gambrell's solid night from the mound, as Graham Hoffman worked the seventh, tossing a perfect inning that included one strikeout. Maceo Campbell took over in the eighth allowing just one hit while ringing up two and issuing a solitary walk.

The Tourists would add three runs in the ninth off Drive reliever Alex Hoppe, but after relinquishing the three runs he'd maintain his composure, sending the next three batters down to preserve a 13-5 win.

The Drive (Boston Red Sox) and Asheville Tourists (Houston Astros) take the field for the finale of the six-game series at McCormick Field tomorrow, May 7 with first pitch slated for 1:05 p.m. The Drive clinched the series with their victory tonight and will enter tomorrow's finale currently leading the six game series, 4-1.

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 6, 2023


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