Rodriguez's Post-Weather Delay Three-Run Homer Secures Third-Straight for Drive  

GREENVILLE, SC – Greenville's power continues to be separating factor between them and Emperors as Freili Encarnacion’s 6th inning blast broke the game open for the Drive.

The first run to score belonged to the Emperors as E.J. Exposito took a 1-1 pitch from Noah Dean high and deep into center field for a home run. Exposito’s 2nd inning shot was his second against the Drive this series matching a feat from 2024 when he hit two home runs in a series against Greenville at Fluor Field.

Greenville’s offense kicked it into gear in the 2nd stringing together a single and two doubles off Rome pitcher Adam Maier making it 2-1 in their favor. Second baseman Justin Riemer was credited with both RBIs. Maier made quick work of the Drive’s 2-3-4 hitters in the third getting two strikeouts and a groundout after walking the leadoff man, Franklin Arias.

Two batters into the 4th inning, the game went onto an inclement weather delay where they would remain for the next hour and 53 minutes. Coming out of the break, E.J. Exposito and Jace Grady struck out swinging to end the frame.

Pitchers on both sides would face only one over the the minimum number of batters until the bottom of the 6th. Rob Griswold walked Yophery Rodriguez to give the Drive an early baserunner. Rodriguez advanced to third thanks to an Antonio Anderson double which left two on for Freili Encarnacion. The Greenville first baseman fouled the first pitch off his foot but left nothing to chance on his next swing, bashing a line drive homerun into right center field. A single from Riemer brought Rome manager Angel Flores out to make a pitching change. Tyler LaPorte came into and retired the first batter he saw with a groundout.

In the next two innings, Harry Owen had the only hit, with a sharp groundball past the infield. Despite getting into scoring position off a Johnathan Brand wild pitch, he was unable to score. Rome left all their chances to the top of the 9th as they faced Matt McShane for the second time in the series.

Will Verdung singled up the middle and scored two pitches later as a product of an Exposito single. Strikeouts from Jace Grady and Bryson Horne left Exposito stranded and ended the game giving Greenville the series win heading into Sunday.

For the second time this series, one Emperors player had all the team’s RBIs with Saturday’s going to Exposito. Rome has now lost 4 of the 10 series they have played thus far and are 3-7 in their last 10 games. The Emps look to Cedric De Grandpre to end the series with a win before heading into a homestand versus the Greensboro Grasshoppers next week.