Late Home Run Costs Tourists in Close Loss

ASHEVILLE- The Asheville Tourists played the waiting game on Wednesday morning. The Greenville Drive starting pitcher, Kutter Crawford, was dominant in his six innings of work. Once Crawford came out, the Tourists drew even. However, an eighth inning Home Run by Marino Campana proved to be the difference.
Greenville built a 3-0 lead with individual runs in the first, second, and fifth innings. Asheville had runners on base against Crawford but were unable to string hits together. Crawford finished with six shutout innings and nine strikeouts.

Trailing 3-0 entering the bottom of the seventh, Asheville took advantage of Drive reliever Taylor Ahearn. Ramon Marcelino led off the frame with a solo Home Run. A Taylor Snyder single brought the tying run to the plate and Matt McLaughlin connected with his first Home Run of the year; a two-run shot to deep left field.
Greenville managed to take the momentum back with the first batter in the top of the eighth. Campana launched a solo Home Run to put the visitors back in front 4-3. Asheville put one runner aboard in the eighth and another aboard in the ninth but failed to score in both innings.
Lucas Gilbreath did not factor in the decision and the left-hander kept Asheville in the game through his five innings of work. Justin Valdespina and Austin Moore each finished with scoreless outings out of the Tourists bullpen.
Asheville will attempt to win the series on Thursday night when the Tourists become the Beer City Tourists. The first pitch is set for 7:05pm.