Greenville Drive drop season opener to Greensboro

Greenville rally falls short in extra-inning loss to Grasshoppers

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:36am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, geometric painting in vibrant colors representing a baseball game, with sharp, overlapping planes conveying the dynamic action and shifting momentum of the opening day matchup between the Greenville Drive and Greensboro Grasshoppers.A cubist interpretation of the dramatic back-and-forth between the Greenville Drive and Greensboro Grasshoppers on opening day, capturing the energy and tension of the extra-inning contest.Greenville Today

The Greenville Drive erased a three-run deficit in dramatic fashion in the bottom of the ninth, but Greensboro answered in each of the final two extra innings to hand Greenville a 9-5 loss on Opening Day Thursday night at Fluor Field at the West End.

Why it matters

The Drive's late-game comeback attempt showcased the team's resilience and ability to fight back, even after falling behind early. While they ultimately fell short, the game highlighted the competitive nature of the South Atlantic League and the Drive's potential to be a contender this season.

The details

Greensboro struck first with a two-run homer in the third inning, and the Grasshoppers' pitching staff kept the Drive quiet through the first eight innings. Greenville finally broke through in the ninth with a three-run homer to tie the game, but Greensboro regained the lead in the 10th and pulled away with a five-run 11th inning.

  • The game took place on Thursday, April 3, 2026, the opening day of the season.
  • Greenville erased a 3-0 deficit with a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning.

The players

Yordany De Los Santos

A Greensboro Grasshoppers player who hit a two-run homer in the third inning and had a strong all-around game, going 2-for-5 with three RBIs, two runs scored, and three stolen bases.

Freili Encarnacion

A Greenville Drive player who hit a game-tying three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to send the game to extra innings.

Juan Valera

The Greenville Drive starting pitcher, who struck out seven batters over 3.1 innings in his season debut.

Carlos Castillo

The Greensboro Grasshoppers starting pitcher, who worked five scoreless frames, allowing four hits while striking out four.

Tony Blanco Jr.

A Greensboro Grasshoppers player who delivered a bases-clearing double in the 11th inning to give the Grasshoppers a 9-4 lead.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Opening Night ultimately belonged to Greensboro, but the Drive's late rally gave Fluor Field a reminder of how quickly momentum can shift — and how close Greenville came to turning an opening loss into an unforgettable comeback.”

— Julia Morris, Author

What’s next

The Drive will look to bounce back in the second game of the series against the Grasshoppers on Friday, April 4, 2026.

The takeaway

Despite the opening-day loss, the Greenville Drive showed resilience and the ability to fight back, nearly erasing a three-run deficit in the ninth inning. This performance suggests the team has the potential to be a contender in the South Atlantic League this season.