News Summary

The Greenville Drive achieved a dramatic 4-3 walk-off victory against the Hub City Spartanburgers, concluding their homestand on a high note. Trailing by three runs, the Drive staged a remarkable comeback led by key players, including Franklin Arias, who secured the win with a walk-off hit. The team’s performance brought their season record to 47-47, while the Spartanburgers fell to 48-47 amidst a packed crowd at Fluor Field. The Drive’s bullpen displayed impressive resilience, setting the stage for a positive momentum as they prepare for their next challenge in Winston-Salem.

Greenville

The Greenville Drive capped off their homestand with a thrilling 4-3 walk-off victory against the Hub City Spartanburgers at Fluor Field on Wednesday night. This win brought the Drive’s season record to 47-47, while the Spartanburgers’ record fell to 48-47. A crowd of 5,864 fans witnessed the electrifying conclusion of the game.

Trailing by three runs midway through the third inning, the Drive executed a remarkable comeback to secure the win. The Spartanburgers initially took control of the game through early scoring, becoming a challenging opponent. However, critical performances, especially in the later innings, turned the tide in favor of the Drive.

The game’s pivotal moment came in the ninth inning, beginning with Freili Encarnacion, who was crucial to the Drive’s rally. Encarnacion was hit by a pitch from Adrian Rodriguez, allowing him to reach first base. He advanced to second after a wild pitch, setting the stage for more offensive opportunities. Following his advancement, the bases were loaded as the Drive received back-to-back walks, showcasing their tenacity.

The dramatic finish was sealed by Franklin Arias, the Red Sox No. 1 prospect, who delivered a single to left field, driving in Encarnacion and clinching the victory for the Drive on a walk-off hit.

The early stages of the game had taken a different direction, with the Spartanburgers jumping to a 3-0 lead by the middle of the third inning. The Drive’s starting pitcher, Shea Sprague, pitched four innings, allowing three runs on three hits while also issuing two walks.

The Spartanburgers scored their first run courtesy of an effective single from Anthony Gutierrez. They then extended their lead with a two-run double by Arturo Disla, demonstrating their offensive edge early in the game.

In response, the Drive managed to claw back into contention with a solo home run from Johanfran Garcia in the fourth inning, reducing the deficit to 3-1. This marked Garcia’s third home run of the season, injecting life into the Drive’s dugout.

The Drive continued their rally in the seventh inning, tying the game at 3-3 through a two-run effort. Encarnacion again led the charge with a single, followed by a stolen base. Juan Montero then stepped up with a two-run double, allowing Encarnacion to cross the plate and equalize the score.

The ninth inning was particularly intense as the Drive’s pitcher Isaac Stebens faced significant pressure. After allowing one out, a double put the potential go-ahead run in scoring position. The situation became even more precarious when Stebens loaded the bases due to two walks and a wild pitch. Nevertheless, he managed to focus and secure the crucial third out, preventing any runs from scoring in that frame.

The Drive’s bullpen, comprised of Zack Kelly, Danny Kirwin, and Stebens himself, combined for five innings of scoreless relief, allowing only two hits and striking out four opponents. With his performance on the mound, Stebens improved his personal record to 4-0.

As the Greenville Drive look forward, they will next head to Winston-Salem to resume a previously suspended game before the upcoming All-Star Break. With the successful close to their homestand, the Drive aims to build off this momentum as they continue through the season.

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Additional Resources

• Greenville Drive News
• Wikipedia: Minor League Baseball
• Garcia’s Walk-Off Blast
• Google Search: Greenville Drive Baseball
• Hub City Game Recap
• Google Scholar: Baseball Game Reports
• Hub City 7-24 Game Recap
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Baseball
• Spartanburgers Silence Drive Bats
• Google News: Greenville Drive

Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE

The HERE Greenville Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenville community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenville Our team includes lifelong Greenville residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sales in the Heritage Historic District 17 , Greenville’s textile and railroad heritage 2 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Greenville Technical College programs) 27 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.