Tourists Have No Answer for Mayer, Drive

ASHEVILLE- The McCormick Field faithful were quieted Saturday night by the Greenville Drive and their shortstop Marcelo Mayer. The Asheville Tourists fell behind at the start and the Drive used a pair of big innings to pull away. The Tourists mustered some offense late; however, still lost 13-5.

Mayer opened the scoring in the top of the first inning with a two-run Homer to straight-away centerfield. The Drive’s catcher, Nathan Hickey, followed with a solo Home Run. Asheville responded in the bottom of the first with an RBI double from Drew Gilbert and a run-scoring groundout off the bat of Miguel Palma.

The score stayed 3-2 until the visitors rallied in the fourth. A two-run double along with Meyer and Hickey RBI singles gave the Drive a 7-2 lead. Greenville added four more runs in the sixth; two of which scored on a Mayer double.

Greenville plated two more in the eighth to take a 13-2 lead. Asheville gave the folks who stayed until the end of the game some offense. Tim Borden II drove in two runs with an RBI single and Justin Williams scored on a Drive error.

Pitching highlights were rare; however, Michael Knorr made his Tourists debut and the Asheville starting pitcher showed some flashes. Kasey Ford worked a scoreless frame out of the bullpen.