De Paula Fans Career-Best Ten in First Outing Since ’21, T’s Fall 5-2

GREENVILLE- The Asheville Tourists fell to 0-3 on the season after a 5-2 loss to the Greenville Drive on Wednesday night. The Drive scored all their runs in the first two innings and kept the Tourists offense quiet throughout the game.

Asheville jumped out to a hot start on back-to-back hits by Kenedy Corona and Drew Gilbert to begin the game. A walk then loaded the bases with no outs. The Tourists used an RBI groundout from Freudis Nova to take a 1-0 lead.

Carlos Calderon drew the start for the Tourists and the right-hander struggled right out of the gate. Calderon issued three walks and threw a wild pitch in the bottom of the first. A double-play ball helped Calderon escape the jam with the game tied 1-1.

In the second inning, Greenville used a solo Home Run, an RBI double, an RBI single, and a sacrifice fly to build a 5-1 advantage. The Drive would not score the rest of the game.

Asheville was held to only four hits over the final eight innings. One of those hits was a Corona solo Home Run to right-centerfield. Corona finished 3-for-4 and has homered in back-to-back games.

Brayan De Paula took the mound for Asheville in the bottom of the fourth inning and pitched brilliantly. The left-hander missed all last season but showed no rust. De Paula worked 4.2 innings, limited Greenville to three hits, walked only one, and struck out a career-high ten.

Kasey Ford and Cole McDonald helped Asheville’s bullpen toss 6.2 scoreless innings on the night.

The Tourists will attempt to find their first win of the season on Thursday against the Drive. The first pitch is slated for 7:05pm at Fluor Field.