Drive Offense Stymied in Series Finale

After a 12-hit performance in the second game on Saturday, the Greenville Drive (2-2) couldn't keep the offensive momentum going on Sunday, as they mustered just three hits in a 5-0 loss to the in-state rival Charleston RiverDogs (2-2) at Fluor Field.

The RiverDogs brought home the first run of the game in the top of the third against Drive starter Brian Johnson (0-1). Fu-Lin Kuo began the frame with a double down the left-field line. With two outs, Robert Refsnyder's sharp groundball in the hole at shortstop was knocked down by Jose Vinicio, putting runners at the corners. Greg Bird followed by knocking a single through the left side to score Kuo.

That one run was more than enough for RiverDogs starter Gabe Encinas, who fooled Drive hitters all game. He allowed only one hit, a Drew Turocy double, in six innings of work. He walked three and punched out four Drive hitters. Brett Gerritse and Taylor Garrison finished the game with three scoreless innings of work for Charleston.

Johnson pitched into the fifth inning in his first start of the season, allowing six hits and one run while walking one and striking out two.

Charleston's other four runs came against Drive reliever Francisco Taveras, all via the homerun. Bird stepped up to the plate in the sixth inning and cracked a homer over the right-field wall to make it a 2-0 game.

Dante Bichette Jr. came up in the eighth and drove a Taveras fastball over the Green Monster in left for a two-run homer, scoring Refsnyder, who singled with one out.

Kelvin De Leon capped the scoring in the top of the ninth when he walloped a homer well over the left-center wall.

Bird and Refsnyder collected three hits apiece for the RiverDogs. Taylor Dugas added a pair of hits while Bichette drove in two. David Chester, Boss Moanaroa and Turocy had the three hits for the Drive.

The Drive begin a seven-game road trip on Monday night, as they travel to face the Hickory Crawdads for a three-game set. RHP Frank Montas will take the ball for the Drive, while Hickory's scheduled starter is RHP Kelvin Vasquez. Greenville returns to Fluor Field on Monday, April 15th to take on the West Virginia Power. For more information regarding single-game tickets, group outings and hospitality accommodations, call (864)240-4500 or visit GreenvilleDrive.com.