Diaz Delivers Walk-Off Single in 3-2 Win Over Drive

Bowling Green, Kentucky – Jhon Diaz secured the second consecutive walk-off win for the Bowling Green White Squirrels (81-47, 34-29), belting a line drive single to center field in the bottom of the 10th inning, in a 3-2 victory over the Greenville Drive (58-69, 32-32) at Bowling Green Ballpark in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Friday night marks Bowling Green’s 12th walk-off win during the 2026 South Atlantic League season. It also is Bowling Green’s fifth time recording a walk-off in back-to-back games, coupled with Tony Santa Maria’s game-ending solo home run in Thursday’s 7-6 triumph.

Bowling Green pounced in front with two runs against Greenville starter Yordanny Monegro in the bottom of the first inning. Brendan Summerhill lifted a single to right-center field, and Ryan Cermak smoked a two-run home run to left field for a 2-0 White Squirrels lead.

The Drive equalized with two runs in the top of the third inning against Jonathan Russell. Stanley Tucker connected for a lead-off homer to right-center field, cutting Bowling Green’s advantage to 2-1. Jake Shaffner doubled, moved up to third on an Owen Hull single, and scored on a Gerardo Rodriguez base hit to level the game at 2-2.

Russell struck out the side in the top of the fourth, closing his outing with a career-best 10 strikeouts. Reliever Cade Citelli followed with four strikeouts in 3.0 scoreless innings, while fellow bullpen arm Jackson Lancaster tossed 2.0 shutout frames.

Both teams went scoreless in the ninth inning. Diaz turned a 9-4 double play to hold the Drive off the board. Bowling Green put the go-ahead run at second base but was held in check by Greenville reliever Aaron Nixon, resulting in extra innings.

Bowling Green bullpen arm Ryan Andrade hurled a scoreless top of the 10th inning. The White Squirrels earned the victory with one run in the bottom of the 10th against Nixon. Nicandro Aybar opened the inning at second base. Colmenarez walked, and a Ricardo Gonzalez sacrifice bunt put runners at second and third. Diaz socked a single, scoring Aybar for a 3-2 final score.

Andrade (4-2) delivered the win pitching 1.0 inning, allowing no runs or hits. Nixon (2-3) was charged with the loss, allowing one unearned run on two hits, blending one walk and two strikeouts across 2.1 innings.

The Hot Rods play the penultimate game of the regular season on Saturday afternoon at 4:05 PM CT. Greenville sends RHP Barrett Morgan (0-0, 0.00) to the mound, Bowling Green’s starting pitcher is still to-be-determined.

Fans can catch all the action by watching on MiLB.tv, listening through the MiLB First Pitch App and BGHotRods.com. Fans can also secure their seats for future home Hot Rods games by calling (270) 901-2121, visiting the Bowling Green Ballpark box office during normal business hours, or going to www.bghotrods.com.

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