Despite Nelly Taylor's HR and Triple, Drive Falls to Dash 15-5

A Night of High Hopes and Sudden Disappointment for the Greenville Drive

Greenville, South Carolina — On a night filled with excitement and cultural celebration, the Greenville Drive faced a tough challenge as they played under the name "Ranas de Rio" during Copa Night. The game turned out to be a rollercoaster ride, ending in a 15-5 loss to the Winston-Salem Dash. This defeat gave the Dash a 3-2 lead in the six-game series.

The event was attended by 4,812 fans who were celebrating the team’s vibrant Copa de la Diversión identity. The Drive started strong, showing signs of a festive night ahead. Nelly Taylor led the offensive charge with a triple and a solo home run, giving the Ranas de Rio an early advantage. However, defensive errors and a late-inning bullpen collapse ultimately cost them the game.

Early Success and Defensive Struggles

In the bottom of the first inning, the Drive jumped on the Dash starter Manuel Veloz quickly. Franklin Arias, the Red Sox No. 3 Prospect, drew a leadoff walk and advanced on a wild pitch. Taylor then hit a triple to right field, scoring the first run of the game. Nazzan Zanetello followed with a sacrifice fly, making it a 2-0 lead for the Drive.

Winston-Salem responded in the second inning with three runs, aided by an error by Zanetello that set up two runs and a run-scoring double from catcher Jackson Appel. The Drive fought back, tying the game in the second inning with Hudson White's RBI single. Taylor then hit a solo home run to right field, reclaiming the lead at 4-3.

Greenville extended its lead to 5-4 in the fifth inning when Zanetello walked, stole second, and scored on Yophery Rodriguez’s RBI single to right. Starter John Holobetz kept the Dash in check across four innings, allowing three runs (two earned) while striking out five batters. Jacob Webb pitched into the sixth but allowed the tying run on Wilber Sanchez’s leadoff double and Alec Makarewicz’s RBI single.

The Turning Point in the Seventh Inning

The decisive blow came in the seventh inning when reliever Darvin Garcia replaced Webb. Garcia failed to escape a bases-loaded jam, leading to seven runs on just three hits. The Dash took advantage of four walks, two wild pitches, and a passed ball. Matt Hogan delivered a bases-clearing triple to right, breaking open what had been a one-run contest.

The nightmare continued in the ninth inning when Albert Feliz allowed four more runs on two hits, two hit batters, and two more walks. Hogan led off with a double and scored his third run of the night. Antonacci and Gonzalez crossed the plate on back-to-back bases-loaded walks before another wild pitch capped the damage.

Offensive Struggles and Defensive Errors

Greenville’s offense managed only five hits and failed to create any meaningful threats after the fifth inning. Taylor accounted for two of the hits, including his sixth home run of the season. Rodriguez added two hits and an RBI, while White drove in one run. However, the Ranas de Rio stranded five runners and committed three errors, two of which directly led to Dash rallies.

Winston-Salem’s lineup showed consistency throughout the order. Hogan finished a triple short of the cycle with three hits, including a double and triple, plus two RBIs and three runs scored. Wilber Sanchez went 4-for-5 with two RBIs, and Appel and Makarewicz each drove in two runs.

Relievers Luke Bell (4–0) and Nick Altermatt (save, 1) combined for five innings of one-hit relief with seven strikeouts. Their performance was crucial in securing the victory for the Dash.

Looking Ahead

The Ranas de Rio will look to even the series in Sunday’s finale before turning their attention to their next road trip. The first pitch is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. at Fluor Field. Despite the setback, the team remains focused on bouncing back and continuing their journey through the season.