Tourists Blank Drive, 4-0, to Claim 2nd Half Southern Division Title
September 4, 2009 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release
Greenville, SC - Friday's game was one-sided on the scoreboard. Unfortunately for the hometown Drive (70-65, 31-36), it was the Asheville Tourists (68-67, 42-24) who recorded a 4-0 shutout in the series opener.
With the win, coupled with an Augusta GreenJackets loss, the playoffs are all set as the Drive will face these same Tourists in the first round which begins on Wednesday, September 9th at McCormick Field.
The Tourists scored single runs in each of the first three innings, giving starter Dan Houston plenty of run support. Jordan Pacheco drew a two-out walk off Fabian Williamson (10-5) for Asheville's first baserunner and scored following consecutive singles from Mike Zuanich and Kiel Roling.
Asheville's second run also came with two outs in the top of the second when Thomas Field doubled and scored on Scott Robinson's single. Roling collected his second RBI with a run-scoring single in the third.
Other than Zach Gentile's leadoff single in the bottom of the third, Houston (8-9) was nearly perfect during his 7.0 inning outing. Of the three hits the right-hander allowed, Shannon Wilkerson accounted for two of them.
The Drive's best chance at pushing a run across came in the bottom of the seventh when Ryan Lavarnway walked and Wilkerson laced a double to left-center. But with both runners in scoring position and only one out, Greenville was unable to take advantage.
In relief of Williamson, Leandro Marin tossed 3.0 strong innings in which he allowed only two hits and one walk. The Venezuelan set a career-high with seven strikeouts, including sitting the Tourists down in order in the eighth.
The Drive and Tourists continue their four-game series, which concludes the 2009 regular season, with the second meeting on Saturday at 7:05 PM. Right-hander Jeremy Kehrt (1-1, 3.51 ERA) will toe the rubber for Greenville, as Asheville counters with right-hander Jonnathan Aristil (4-8, 4.92 ERA).
The entertainment for tomorrow night's game will feature a Star Wars theme. For more information regarding single-game tickets, group outings, and luxury accommodations, visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com or call (864) 240-4500.
South Atlantic League Stories from September 4, 2009
- Rome Gets Walk Off Win in Home Finale - Rome Emperors
- Suns get most from Moore - Hagerstown Suns
- Pellegrini's record-breaking HR sends Legends to 6-4 victory - Lexington Legends
- Hot Rods blow 4-3 lead in ninth to drop series opener against Lexington - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Spain's trio of hits pace Power in victory - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Tourists Blank Drive, 4-0, to Claim 2nd Half Southern Division Title - Greenville Drive
- Dogs Flick Sand Gnats on Double Error, 5-3, Win Fifth Straight - Charleston RiverDogs
- Six late free passes doom Kannapolis, 2-1 - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Crawdads come back for 2-1 win in 10 in Kannapolis - Hickory Crawdads
- Tourists Shutout Drive for Playoff Berth - Asheville Tourists
- Rome Deals Key Blow in 5-4 Loss - Augusta GreenJackets
- BlueClaws Belt 16 Hits in Win - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
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