Cup of Coffee: Drive capture South Atlantic League title

9/16 Cup of Coffee: Brett Netzer and a lights-out effort from the bullpen guided Greenville to a South Atlantic League Championship. They took the series from Kannapolis three games to one to win their first SAL title.

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Greenville Drive 8, Kannapolis Intimidators (CWS) 3

The Drive capitalized on a key error in the first inning to put up a crooked number right away. After consecutive singles from Brett Netzer and Roldani Baldwin, Bobby Dalbec roped an RBI double to right. With two down, Tyler Hill reached on an error that cost Kannapolis two more runs. The Intimidators chipped away at Greenville starter Hildemaro Requena, who allowed three runs on nine hits, including two solo shots, in 4 2/3 innings. In the sixth, Greenville pulled away and never looked back. Netzer delivered the nail in the coffin with a two-out, three-run double to make the score 8-3. Jagger Rusconi also had an RBI knock in the frame.

Hunter Smith picked up the win with a terrific performance out of the bullpen. He tossed 2 1/3 hitless innings with four strikeouts and no walks. Brendan Nail and Juan Florentino closed it out with a scoreless inning each. Florentino recorded the final out with a called third strike.

Netzer finished the game going 2 for 3 with a walk and three RBI. Dalbec and Mitchell Gunsolus each grabbed a pair of hits as well.

Player of the Night: 2017 third-round pick Brett Netzer capped a productive first professional season with a clutch three-run double. The 21-year-old began the season in Lowell after the draft and hit .317/.376/.390 in 22 games. His numbers dipped when he got to Greenville, hitting .260/.327/.300 in 26 games. Netzer is currently ranked 27th here at SoxProspects.com.

Photo Credit: Mike Burton, courtesy of the Greenville Drive

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