SAL1 Greenville Drive

Rizzo's Seventh Inning Blast Propels Drive to Victory

Published on June 14, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - With one swing of the bat in the bottom of the seventh, Anthony Rizzo quickly erased the Bowling Green Hot Rods' (31-32) valiant effort at a comeback. The All-Star first baseman broke a 4-4 tie with his ninth homer of the season, a two-run shot off Mike Jarman as the Drive (35-27) won the second game of the series 6-4.

In the top of the inning, the Hot Rods erased a 4-1 deficit against reliever Fabian Williamson (5-2). The first three batters all reached base as Mike McCormick doubled, Jeremy Beckham singled, and Anthony Scelfo loaded the bases with a single before Tim Beckham smacked a two-run double. One batter later, Jake Jefferies tied the game with an RBI-single.

The Hot Rods appeared poised to take the lead as two runners were still on base and no outs. However, Kyeong Kang struckout while Mike Sheridan was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Williamson then got out of the jam by striking out Isaias Velasquez and retiring Jason Tweedy on an infield pop-up.

The Drive would make the Hot Rods pay for their inability to take the lead as Tim Federowicz led off the bottom of the inning with an infield single. Rizzo only needed one pitch from Jarman (4-5) to give Greenville a lead they would not give up.

Mitch Herold would relieve Williamson for the final two innings to earn his third save of the season. The southpaw allowed a hit and a walk with one out in the eighth, but got back-to-back groundouts to end a possible threat. Herold made short work of the Hot Rods in the ninth, sitting them down in order.

The Drive had built a 4-1 lead through the first six innings behind 5-1/3 strong innings from Hunter Strickland. The right-hander scattered six hits and a walk, while fanning one and exited in line for his fourth win of the season.

The teams were knotted at 1-1 in the bottom of the third before David Mailman laced a two-out, two-run single. Ryan Lavarnway added an RBI-double the next inning to put Greenville up by three runs.

The Drive will look for their second sweep of the season as the series comes to an end on Monday night at Fluor Field with first pitch set for 7:05 PM. Right-hander Stephen Fife (0-1, 0.64) will toe the rubber for Greenville as Bowling Green counters with right-hander Joe Cruz (2-2, 2.61 ERA).

Tomorrow is also Munchie Monday at Fluor Field, in which kids 12 and under receive a voucher good for a free hot dog, a bag of chips, and a 12-ounce Pepsi product. For more information on single-game tickets, ticket plans, group outings, luxury accommodations, visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com or call (864) 240-4500.

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 14, 2009


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