Drive Offense Remains Hot, Sweeps Asheville in Doubleheader

The Greenville Drive took a 3-0 series lead over the Asheville Tourists after sweeping a doubleheader. The Drive improves to 42-54, while the Tourists falls to 33-65. In the second-half standings, Greenville is now 16-17, while Asheville is 16-17.

GAME ONE – DRIVE (16-12)

The Greenville Drive defeated the Asheville Tourists 16-12 in game one of Thursday's doubleheader, driving in 16 runs on 20 hits and going 11-for-20 with runners in scoring position.

After an early 1-1 tie, Asheville sprinted to a 7-1 lead through three innings, thanks to a two-run hit by Ethan Frey, doubles by Anthony Huezo and Jack Moss, and solo home runs by Alejandro Nunez and Xavier Neyens. Greenville answered back with an eight-run fourth inning, highlighted by RBI singles from Enddy Azocar and Justin Gonzales, along with a bases-clearing double by Maximus Martin to take a 9-7 lead.

The Drive extended their advantage with a lead-off home run by Nazzan Zanetello and an RBI double from Luke Heyman in the fifth, followed by a five-run rally in the sixth inning featuring RBIs from Zanetello, Stanley Tucker, Gonzales, and Heyman. Asheville tried to mount a comeback behind a Freuddy Batista solo shot in the fourth, along with an RBI single and double from Huezo in the late half, but fell short in the final inning, 16-12.

At the plate for Greenville, Yophery Rodriguez went a perfect 5-for-5 with an RBI and two runs, while Azocar, Heyman, and Gonzales each collected three hits and two RBIs. For the Tourists, Huezo finished 3-for-5 with a pair of runs and four RBIs. Frey went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, two runs, and two walks.

On the mound, P.J. Labriola earned his fifth win of the season after pitching a couple of innings in relief, while Asheville's Jordan Carr took the loss after allowing six runs on nine hits over 1.2 innings.

GAME TWO – DRIVE (6-1)

The Drive returned for game two with no signs of slowing down, opening with a three-run first inning, courtesy of RBI doubles from Rodriguez and Isaiah Jackson.

Jackson picked it back up with an RBI base hit in the third, starting another three-run inning. A double from Rodriguez brought Jackson in, and an RBI single from Antonio Anderson made it 6-0 in the third. A force out by Huezo counted as the only run for the Tourists, who dropped the second game 6-1

Rodriguez continued to have a great showing on Thursday with a 2-for-4 performance, counting two RBIs and a run. Jackson had a 2-for-3 night with three RBIs and two runs scored. Asheville went 0-for-4 in scoring opportunities, leaving six on base.

Marcus Phillips started game two and went four innings, walking six, striking out five, and giving up one run. Griffin Kilander left with his second win after allowing no runs in three innings to end the evening. Tourists’ starter Kellan Oakes allowed all six runs on seven hits in three innings against the Drive.

The Greenville Drive plays for the series win tomorrow in game four against the Asheville Tourists with first pitch at 6:35 PM.