The Greensboro Grasshoppers (12-7) pitching quintet of Alessandro Ercolani, Drake Fellows, Darvin Garcia, Emmanuel Chapman, and Jaden Woods held the Greenville Drive (7-14) to just five hits in the series finale on Sunday at Fluor Field, en route to a 4-1 victory; earning a series split.
Miller Time.
Tyler Miller earned his first South Atlantic League Player of the Week honors. The 1B/3B picked up 9 hits on the week including (2) 2B, and a HR with 4 RBI. pic.twitter.com/kcWq0BrdLh
— Greenville Drive (@GreenvilleDrive) April 29, 2024
The Drive had struggled from the plate after loading the bases with one out in the bottom of the first, squandering what ultimately would be their best chance at runs on Sunday afternoon. Ronald Rosario would go down on strikes after working the count in his favor at 3-0 before Tyler Miller would pop out. It would be the only trouble Ercolani faced in his start, as he picked up quick outs over the last four batters he faced.
The Drive and Greensboro split the series at Fluro Field as 'Hoppers take Sunday finale, 4-1.https://t.co/8aqMVn9bkg
— Greenville Drive (@GreenvilleDrive) April 28, 2024
By that point, the ‘Hoppers had opened 2-0 lead off Drive starter David Sandlin who gave up a lead-off homer to Termarr Johnson and Hudson Head chipped in an RBI-double for a 2-0 lead. Sandlin recovered from there picking up back-to-back 1-2-3 innings. He’d ultimately toss four innings, allowing just the two runs on four hits, with one walk and five strikeouts.
Uggy gets us started! Double to the corner brings T-Mill.
'Hoppers 2, Drive 1 pic.twitter.com/in4TKTfl1n
— Greenville Drive (@GreenvilleDrive) April 28, 2024
Greenville cut the lead to 2-1 in the fourth, as a Tyler Miller single set up a Miguel Ugueto RBI-double for the Drive’s only run. Allan Castro would pick up the Drive’s final hit of the night in the sixth as relievers Chapman and Woods held the Drive hitless over the last 2 ⅔ innings.
¡VAMOS! pic.twitter.com/gn3b6oxWOu
— Greenville Drive (@GreenvilleDrive) April 28, 2024
Zach Fogell provided two innings of relief work for the Drive, the Brannigan homer being the only hit he’d allow. He’d walk one and strike out two as well.
Cutter Coffey, looking up and that's gone! His first of the year!
Drive 2, 'Hoppers 0 pic.twitter.com/sSOxeS55es
— Greenville Drive (@GreenvilleDrive) April 27, 2024
Bryce Bonnin continued his awesome start with the Drive, tossing a nearly two great innings as he allowed one walk and picked up a strikeout. Adam Smith completed the rotation for the Drive allowing two hits in the ninth and one run, a Maikol Escotto RBI-single to put the ‘Hoppers up 4-1.
Tightly contested, but the Drive fall 4-2 to the 'Hoppers as Mullins tosses best start of the year.https://t.co/rkJEdxSlhC
— Greenville Drive (@GreenvilleDrive) April 27, 2024
The Greenville Drive return to action in Asheville, N.C. on Tuesday, April 30 for game one of a six-game series against the Asheville Tourists.
FINAL: ‘Hoppers 11, Drive 1 pic.twitter.com/b1vS4NdsTH
— Greenville Drive (@GreenvilleDrive) April 26, 2024