Williams’ Three-Hit Day Isn’t Enough in Hot Rods’ Loss

August 20, 2022 – South Atlantic League (SAL) – Bowling Green Hot Rods News Release

Bowling Green, Kentucky – Alika Williams had three hits and two RBIs for the Bowling Green Hot Rods (27-19, 68-43), but the Greenville Drive (16-29, 42-69) took control early and cruised to a 10-3 win at Bowling Green Ballpark on Saturday. The Hot Rods and Drive will finish their six-game series on Sunday with a 1:05 PM CT first pitch.

Greenville hit back-to-back homers in the first to open up the scoring, 2-0. A two-run homer from Matthew Lugo made it 4-0 Greenville in the third before the Hot Rods got on the board. Johan Lopez led off the home half with a single and advanced to second when Michael Berglund was hit by a pitch. He moved to third on a double play before the two-out rally began. Mason Auer walked to bring up Williams, who drove in Bowling Green’s first run of the day on a single off Casey Cobb to put the Hot Rods on the board. Alexander Ovalles drove in Auer in the next at-bat to cut Greenville’s lead to 4-2.

The Drive responded four runs in the fourth to make it 8-2, and added another on two extra-base hits in the sixth to extend their lead to 9-2. One more run in the ninth made it 10-2 Drive. Williams drove in his second run of the game to cut the deficit to 10-3 in the ninth, but Bowling Green ultimately fell 10-3 to Greenville.

Ben Brecht (2-2) took the loss in 3.2 innings, allowing six runs on nine hits with four strikeouts. Cameron Leonard pitched 3.1 frames with three runs on six hits, a walk and three strikeouts. Conor Dryer pitched the final 2.0 innings, allowing one run on three hits with three strikeouts.

Notes: Ovalles extended his hit streak to seven games… He has also driven in a run in seven-straight games… Soria extended his hit-streak to 10 games, the longest active streak in the SAL… He became the third Hot Rods hitter with a hit-streak of 10 or more games in 2022… Hernandez has reached base in 19-straight games… Williams recorded his fifth three-hit game of the year… He drove in multiple runs for the 15th time… Tyler McDonough hit for the cycle in his first four at-bats for Greenville… Bowling Green and Greenville will finish their series on Sunday at Bowling Green Ballpark, with first pitch set for 1:05 PM CT… RH Anthony Molina (12-1, 2.99) will start for the Hot Rods against Drive RH Chih-Jung Liu (1-11, 6.53)… The game is available to watch on MiLB.tv…

Fans can listen to the game on Talk 104.1 FM and 930 AM WKCT…