BOWLING GREEN – Duncan Davitt dominated on the mound, hurling 5.2 hitless innings. Meanwhile, the Bowling Green Hot Rods’ offense erupted with seven runs in the sixth inning. This offensive surge propelled them to their first road victory of the season, 7-3 against the Greenville Drive at Fluor Field in Greenville, South Carolina.
Following three scoreless innings, the Hot Rods’ bats ignited in the top of the fourth against Drive starter Dalton Rogers and reliever Nathan Landry. Colton Ledbetter initiated with a single, followed by a walk to John Diaz. With two outs, Ryan Spikes walked, loading the bases for Chandlers Simpson. Back-to-back bases-loaded walks from Simpson and Brayden Taylor extended the Hot Rods’ lead to 2-0.
Xavier Isaac’s timely single extended the inning, bringing home Spikes and Simpson, pushing the Bowling Green lead to 4-0. Cooper Kinney then delivered a clutch double, driving in Taylor and Isaac to widen the gap to 6-0. Kamren James capped off the inning with an RBI double to left, scoring Kinney and extending the Hot Rods’ lead to 7-0.
The Drive broke onto the scoreboard against Davitt and reliever Sandy Gaston. Cutter Coffey drew a one-out walk and stole second base. He then advanced to third on a groundout by Kristian Campbell. Gaston took the mound and surrendered an RBI double to Allan Castro, narrowing the Bowling Green lead to 7-1. Ronald Rosario followed with a single to center, bringing home Castro and trimming the deficit to 7-2.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Greenville added one more run against Bowling Green reliever Kyle Whitten, courtesy of a solo home run by Campbell. However, Whitten then shut down any comeback chances, securing a 7-3 victory for the Hot Rods.
Davitt tossed 5.2 hitless innings, allowing one earned run, while walking two and striking out six in his first win of the season. Rogers worked through 3.2 innings, allowing four earned runs on two hits and five walks with six strikeouts in his first loss of the year.
The Hot Rods and Drive continue with the second game of the series today with a 6:05 PM CT first pitch. Bowling Green is scheduled to send out RHP Roel Garcia III (0-0) against Greenville RHP David Sandlin.
