GreenJackets Use Early Outburst to Defeat Drive

Augusta, GA - The Augusta GreenJackets (14-14) wasted no time getting things started on Friday night, and their four-run first inning outburst was all they would need, as they defeated the Greenville Drive (14-11) 4-1.

The GreenJackets rudely greeted Drive starter Ty Buttrey (0-1), who was making his first appearance of the season. Jeremy Sy and Ryder Jones hit back-to-back singles leading off the frame to put runners on the corners, and a walk to Brandon Bednar loaded the bases. A pair of Greenville errors to the next two batters scored three runs, and a Geno Escalante RBI single tacked on a fourth run.

Those were all the runs Augusta starter Carlos Diaz (3-2) would need, as he provided seven outstanding innings, giving up only four hits and one run while walking three and striking out three.

The Drive brought in their only run in the fourth inning as Jordan Weems lined a double to left to score Carlos Asuaje, who hit a leadoff single.

A bright spot in a tough game for the Drive was the terrific relief provided by Jonathan Aro and Taylor Grover. Aro relieved Buttrey with two outs in the first inning and fired four and one-third scoreless innings, allowing only two hits while striking out five. Grover, a North Augusta native playing very close to home, followed with three perfect innings and three punchouts.

Sy had two hits for the GreenJackets, and Asuaje was the lone Drive batter with a two-hit night.

Game two of the four-game series in Augusta begins at 7:00 on Saturday night. LH Trey Ball (1-0, 5.40) will take the mound for the Drive, and the GreenJackets will counter with LH Matt Lujan (3-1, 2.19).