Sports

Younginer Gets No Decision in First Home Start

Struggles with control but escapes with a no decision.

Former Mauldin High Star Madison Younginer did not have his best stuff on Thursday in his first start at Fluor Field for the Greenville Drive, but he still was able to avoid taking the loss.

The right-hander struggled right out of the gate in the Drive's 9-8 loss to the Augusta GreenJackets. Younginer allowed three runs in the first inning on two hits and two walks. For the night, he pitched three innings and allowed four runs on three hits, while walking four and striking out two. In his last inning of work, Younginer retired the side in order. The loss of control was an aberration for Younginer, who walked only one in his first two appearances.

"Sometimes it just doesn't go your way," Younginer said after the game. "I felt like I was around the plate, but even small misses are still misses."

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Younginer said he felt like he was ready in pre-game. "I felt good in the bullpen, but I got behind and allowed them to sit on my fastball." 

Drive Manager Carlos Febles agreed, "(Younginer) didn't have command tonight. When you don't have command they make you pay."

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"I learn something every time I go out, so I'll use what I learned tonight the next time I pitch and try to hang some zeroes," Younginer said.

The Drive rallied with three runs in both the fourth and fifth to get Younginer off the hook. But the GreenJackets scored five late runs to pull ahead 9-6. The Drive were able to push two runs across in the bottom of the ninth, but left the tying run standing on third base.

The Drive loss comes after back-to-back wins and they drop to 6-9 on the year. Greenville plays Augusta again Friday, game two of a four-game set. First pitch is at 7:05.

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