Tough 7th Inning Leads to Drive's Downfall Wednesday Night
The Rome Emperors' pitching got the better of the Greenville Drive offense in a 5-1 loss, tying the series at one apiece. The Emperors improves to 25-30, while the Drive falls to 27-29 in the second-half standings. Jason Gilman had his best start since his call-up to Greenville, striking out
The Rome Emperors' pitching got the better of the Greenville Drive offense in a 5-1 loss, tying the series at one apiece. The Emperors improves to 25-30, while the Drive falls to 27-29 in the second-half standings.
Jason Gilman had his best start since his call-up to Greenville, striking out 10 Emperors for a season-high in 5.1 innings. Unfortunately, the game wasn’t on his side, leaving with his second loss.
A slow start at the plate through three innings for the Drive led to a breakthrough in the fourth. Maximus Martin singled to bring in Owen Hull, who reached base safely for his 16th consecutive game, scoring the first run of the night.
Rome then gained an unearned lead, taking advantage of a Drive error and a balk by reliever Trennor O’Donnell in the sixth, 2-1.
The damage continued in the next inning, as consecutive doubles by Mac Guscette and Carter Beck extended the Emperors’ lead, 5-1. Griffin Kilander returned to the Drive with a strikeout to stop the bleeding at three runs in the seventh for Rome.
Matt McShane came out to pitch and struck out three, sending it to the ninth, but the Drive went down in order, dropping game two of the series.
Greenville had its chances tonight but went 1-for-8 with runners on second and third, leaving six runners on the base paths in a four-hit game. Martin had the solo RBI as the Drive struck out 15 times tonight.
Rome got five hits, striking out 16 times. Guscette anchored with a 2-for-3 night, scoring and driving in two runs. The only Emperor with multiple hits. Beck picked up an RBI too with his double in the seventh.
Rome’s starter Davis Polo pitched a stunner, earning his first win of the season. He went five innings, allowing one run on two hits and striking out six.
The Greenville Drive looks to bounce back in game three tomorrow against the Rome Emperors with first pitch at 6:45 PM. This will be the 6th annual Start Up GVL Night. The Drive will celebrate innovation & entrepreneurship throughout the region and help inspire the community's next generation of entrepreneurs.