Early Fireworks Power Hub City Victory on Fifth Third Park’s Opening Night
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Opening Night at Fifth Third Park got off to a thrilling start. Almost 5,000 fans, entering the park for the first time, witnessed pregame festivities honoring the stadium’s beginnings, team introductions with pyrotechnics and a memorable rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner from the Upstate’s own Edwin McCain.
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Opening Night at Fifth Third Park got off to a thrilling start. Almost 5,000 fans, entering the park for the first time, witnessed pregame festivities honoring the stadium’s beginnings, team introductions with pyrotechnics and a memorable rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner from the Upstate’s own Edwin McCain.
As luck would have it, the ballgame matched the festivities. The Hub City Spartanburgers (6-4) took down the Bowling Green Hot Rods (5-5), 5-3, to secure the first home win in franchise history. All the runs were scored in the first three innings. Left fielder Dylan Dreiling and catcher Malcolm Moore, the team’s top two Rangers prospects per MLB Pipeline, both homered. Moore’s two-run shot put the Spartanburgers ahead for good.
Hub City right-hander Leandro Lopez only made it through 2 1/3 innings, and was tagged for three early Bowling Green runs, but the Spartanburgers’ bullpen picked up the slack for their starter. Righties Joey Danielson (W, 1-0), Josh Mollerus and Seth Clark (S, 2) twirled 6 2/3 scoreless frames to shut down the Hot Rod offense.
After Bowling Green struck in the top of the first, the Spartanburgers immediately bounced back in the bottom half. One out in, Dreiling clubbed an inside pitch from Hot Rods starter T.J. Nichols (L, 0-1) into the right field bullpen for the Spartanburgers’ first-ever home run. The next batter, Anthony Gutierrez, singled, stole second, stole third then came around to score as the throw from Bowling Green’s catcher sailed into left field. After the first, Hub City trailed, 3-2.
In the second, the Spartanburgers mounted a two-out rally. Quincy Scott worked a walk, then Danyer Cueva cracked a double to right. Scott steamed around to score from first and tied the game at three runs apiece.
Dreiling ignited the spark in the third inning, then Moore lit the fuse. The Rangers’ 2024 first-round pick smoked a 3-2 inside fastball and cleared the entire ballpark. Hub City took a 5-3 lead from there and never looked back. Danielson handled 2 2/3 innings, Mollerus took the next two and Clark finished the job.
Fifth Third Park held 4,467 fans for its inaugural game. Tomorrow, gates open at 5:30 for a 6:35 first pitch. Spartanburgers lefty Josh Trentadue and Hot Rods righty Marcus Johnson are the scheduled starters.
About the Hub City Spartanburgers
The Hub City Spartanburgers, the High-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, embark on their inaugural season in April 2025. For more information on the Spartanburgers, visit milb.com/hub-city. For information about tickets to any of Hub City’s 66 home games, call 864-658-4206 or email: tickets@hcspartanburgers.com For media inquiries, email: iunsworth@hcspartanburgers.com. Follow along with the Spartanburgers on social media.
The Motor of the Hub City: Why Professional Baseball Returned to Spartanburg
This article was originally published in the June 2025 edition of the Texas Rangers magazine.
Bats Wake up for ‘Burgers to Finish Week in Bowling Green
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — After dominant pitching for seven innings, the Spartanburgers (1-2, 32-36) offense came alive in the final two innings to take Sunday’s series finale 8-2 against the Hot Rods (2-1, 36-31). Jose Gonzalez provided Hub City an excellent chance to salvage the final game of the series.
Late Offense Carries Bowling Green to Comfortable Win
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — The Spartanburgers got off to an early lead on Saturday evening. Keith Jones II blasted a first pitch home run to put Hub City (0-2, 31-36) in front. Bowling Green (2-0, 36-30) responded with seven unanswered runs to take game four 7-1. Hub City lefty starter
Offensive Battle Goes Bowling Green’s Way
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — After conceding five runs in the first inning, Hub City battled back to tie Friday night’s game in the seventh. The Hot Rods (1-0, 35-30) powered their way to seven late runs to take down the Spartanburgers (0-1, 31-35) in game three of the series, 12-5.
Spartanburgers Even Series at Bowling Green
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — After rain ruined the possibilities of game two, the Spartanburgers (31-34) snapped their eight-game losing streak on Thursday with a 3-1 win at Bowling Green (34-30). Hub City used three straight baserunners to get on the board first in the fourth. Dylan Dreiling followed it up
Game Two Between ‘Burgers and Hot Rods Washed Out
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — The Spartanburgers (30-34) and Hot Rods (34-29) never got started on Wednesday in Kentucky. The game began in a delay, and a lengthy storm cell led to the game’s cancellation about two hours after scheduled first pitch. Since tonight’s game was canceled and Greenville lost to
Walk-off Grand Slam Lifts Bowling Green in Game One
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Headed into the final three games of the first half, the Spartanburgers lost any chance of winning the division in the first half. Meanwhile, the Bowling Green Hot Rods held a half-game advantage on the Greenville Drive. Bowling Green (34-29) picked up a critical 7-3 win
Late ‘Burgers Rally Falls Short on Sunday
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Offense was again hard to come by on Sunday afternoon at Fifth Third Park. The Spartanburgers (30-33) fell to the Wilmington Blue Rocks (30-33), 3-2. Wilmington completed a series sweep, claiming five of the six games by just a single run. Jose Gonzalez (L, 1-6) handled most
Wilmington Wins Another One-Run Contest Saturday
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Most of the contests between Wilmington and Hub City this week have been decided by slim margins. Saturday was no different as the Blue Rocks (29-33) beat the Spartanburgers (30-32) by one run, 3-2, for the fourth time this week. Hub City went two-for-nine with runners in
Wilmington scores seven in first two innings
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Wilmington stunned Hub City ace David Davalillo early and rode seven runs through the first two innings to an 8-0 victory Friday night. The Blue Rocks (28-33) have won four straight games to start the series; the Spartanburgers (30-31) are now two and-a-half games out of first
Oat Milkers’ Comeback Falls Short after Sixth Inning Struggles
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — After a tumultuous sixth inning, the Spartanburgers, playing as the Malmo Oat Milkers, launched a slow but sure comeback against the Blue Rocks. Hub City (30-30) left the tying run at third base and the winning run on second in the bottom of the ninth in a
Spartanburgers Fall to Blue Rocks in Extras for Second Straight Night
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The Spartanburgers and Blue Rocks needed extra innings for the second straight night. Just like Tuesday, Wilmington (26-33) pulled out a one-run victory, 6-5, over Hub City (30-28). Cal Stark and Gleider Figuereo both mashed solo home runs. Figuereo became the first Spartanburger with double-digit home runs
Extra-Innings Pitchers Duel Goes Wilmington’s Way
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The first game of the series between Hub City and Wilmington featured plenty of zeros. In a contest devoid of offense until extras, the Blue Rocks (25-33) beat the Spartanburgers (30-28) by a 2-1 final score in 11 innings. Both teams were scoreless until the final frame.
Dreiling and Stark Reunited by Rangers after Shortest Goodbye
For two years, Cal Stark and Dylan Dreiling formed a “one of a kind” friendship as teammates at Tennessee. After winning a national championship with the Vols, it was time to say goodbye. But goodbye only lasted 24 hours. In 2023, Dreiling and Stark both landed on Rocky Top for
City of Spartanburg Partners with Hub City Spartanburgers to Host Red, White & Boom at Fifth Third Park
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The City of Spartanburg, in partnership with the Hub City Spartanburgers, is pleased to announce the 2025 Red, White & Boom Independence Day festival, to be held on Friday, July 4 at Fifth Third Park in Downtown Spartanburg. “We’re excited for this opportunity to partner with the
Spartanburgers’ Keith Jones II Named South Atlantic League Player of the Week
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Minor League Baseball and the South Atlantic League have named Hub City Spartanburgers outfielder Keith Jones II as the South Atlantic League Player of the Week for the week of June 2–8. Jones is the first Hub City position player to win a SAL honor. “Keith’s consistency
‘Burgers Drop Series Finale in Greensboro
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Early offense came in droves on a sunny Sunday at First National Bank Field as the Greensboro Grasshoppers (37-18) out-blasted the Hub City Spartanburgers (30-27) by a 9-4 final to even the series at three games apiece. Five home runs, two of which were hit by Spartanburgers,
Spartanburgers Prevail Past Rain to win Saturday Night
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Nearly five hours after first pitch, Hub City (30-26) prevailed over Greensboro (36-19) with a 7-4 final. The game was dragged out by a two hour rain delay that put a pause on the action in the eighth inning. Luis Marquez continued his hot start to his
Grasshoppers Win on Rain-Shortened Friday
GREENSBORO, N.C. — After six and a half innings at First National Bank Field, the skies opened, and shortly after, a 2-1 ballgame ended. Greensboro (36-18) beat Hub City (29-26) Friday night to even the series at two games apiece. Hub City got five more quality innings from starter David
‘Burgers Load up for Four Home Runs in 7-4 Win
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Hub City flipped the script Thursday against the team with the most home runs in the South Atlantic League, taking down Greensboro 7-4. Four separate Spartanburgers home runs powered the offense, while Josh Trentadue and Kolton Curtis (W, 2-1) combined for all nine innings on the mound
Spartanburgers’ David Davalillo Named South Atlantic League May Pitcher of the Month
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Minor League Baseball and the South Atlantic League have tabbed Spartanburgers pitcher David Davalillo as the league’s May Pitcher of the Month. In five May appearances, the right-hander led all qualified High-A hurlers with a 0.96 ERA and struck out 35 batters. “David has earned every bit
Hub City Arms Salt Away Shutout Wednesday Win
GREENSBORO, N.C. — The first swing of a noon start in Greensboro Wednesday put Hub City ahead. After Casey Cook’s big fly, the Spartanburgers (28-25) held the Grasshoppers (35-17) scoreless and evened the series with a 4-0 triumph at First National Bank Field. Cook ripped a 95 mile-per-hour fastball from
Four-Run Sixth Costs Hub City in Series-Opening Defeat at Greensboro
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Yeison Morrobel gave the Spartanburgers a one-run lead in the sixth inning of Tuesday’s series opener between Hub City (27-25) and the Greensboro Grasshoppers (35-16). After five strong innings from Spartanburgers starter Leandro Lopez (L, 2-4), Greensboro responded with a home run as part of a four-run
Gonzalez’s Gem Ends Series on High Note
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The Spartanburgers’ starting pitching had been stellar through the first five games of the series against Winston-Salem. Sunday was no different, as right-hander Jose Gonzalez (W, 1-4) tossed the best start of his High-A tenure to lead Hub City to a 3-1 win. Gonzalez was dominant: his
Dash Take Pitcher’s Duel with Four-Run Ninth
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — After an offensive explosion from the Spartanburgers Friday, both teams’ bats were silent for the majority of Saturday afternoon’s contest between Winston-Salem and Hub City. The ‘Burgers (26-24) blinked first in the top of the ninth, as the Dash (18-32) scored four, and eventually won by three,