Gritty Performance Leads Tourists into First Place

GREENSBORO- The Asheville Tourists outlasted the Greensboro Grasshoppers on Thursday night to jump into a tie for first place in the South Atlantic League's Southern division. The Tourists churned out a 7-2 win; however, they were in a battle all night.
Asheville fell behind 2-0 in the third inning. The Tourists managed only one base runner over their first four frames. In the fifth, Asheville began the comeback. Daniel Montano singled in Willie MacIver who had doubled with one out. The next inning the Tourists pulled even on a sacrifice fly by Coco Montes .

In the seventh, Danny Edgeworth gave Asheville their first lead with a two-out RBI single to left field that plated Max George . Kyle Datres added a solo Home Run in the eighth to make it four straight innings with a run.
The Tourists took a 4-2 lead into the ninth but a two-out rally created even more breathing room. Will Golsan singled home Edgeworth and Datres scored two more with an RBI hit to center. Greensboro was stuck on two runs while the Tourists did all their damage.
One of the reasons the Grasshoppers could not keep pace with the Tourists was Asheville's relief pitching. Derrik Watson , Will Tribucher , Jacob Bosiokovic , and Alexander Martinez combined to pitch 4.1 scoreless innings.
Greensboro was 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position and left 13 men on base throughout the contest. The Tourists' pitchers made big pitches and the defense made some great plays behind them. Eris Filpo , Asheville's starting pitcher, battled as well and despite not having his best stuff he kept the Tourists in the game.
Game two of the road trip is scheduled for 7:00pm when the Tourists take on the Grasshoppers at First National Bank Field.