Savannah 11 Charleston 8

The fifth game of the five game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Charleston RiverDogs was played in front of 1,099 fans Tuesday evening at Grayson Stadium. Scoring 7 runs in the 4th inning helped the Gnats win the game, 11-8.

Savannah scored 2 runs in the 3rd inning. lfAlonso Harris was hit by a pitch and scored on a triple by cfDarrell Ceciliani. A groundout scored Ceciliani. In the 4th inning Savannah scored 7 runs on three hits, a hit batter, and 4 walks. The final 2 Gnats runs were scored in the 7th inning.

Charleston out hit Savannah 11-7. Ceciliani was 2-for-4 with a double, triple, 2 runs scored, and 2RBI's. Harris was 1-for-2 with 2 runs scored. cBlake Forsythe was 2-for-4, a double, 2RBI's, and 2 runs scored.

Winning Savannah pitcher, Taylor Whitenton, (5-4) pitched 5 innings, allowed 3 runs(one earned) gave up 6 hits, struck out 5. Guillaume Leduc pitched 3 innings, allowed 5 runs on 5 hits, 1BB. Ronny Morla pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to earn his 10 save of the season.

Charleston 9 Savannah 6

The fourth game of the five game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Charleston RiverDogs was played in front of 2,091 fans Monday evening at Grayson Stadium. The RiverDogs out hit the Gnats 16-10 to win the game by the score of 9-6.

Charleston scored their first run in the 1st inning and exploded in the second inning scoring 6 runs on 6 straight hits to take the lead 7-1.

Savannah scored their first run in the 2nd inning. 2bLuis Nieves drew a walk and scored on a triple by cfDarrell Ceciliani. Gnats scored 3 runs in the 3rd inning, dh Blake Forsythe singled to drive in 2 runs and a run scored on a ground out into a double play. Savannah scored their final 2 runs in the 5th inning.

Gnats getting multiple hits. cAlbert Cordero went 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Ceciliani was 2-for-4 with a triple and 1 RBI. 3bAderline Rodriquez was 2-for-4 with a double a run scored, and 1 RBI. ssWilfredo Tovar extended his hitting streak to 8 straight games.

Taking the loss for Savannah, Gonzales Germen (7-7) pitched 1 1/3 innings, allowed 7 runs on 10 hits, 1BB, 1K. Brandon Sage pitched 2 2/3 shutout innings, gave up 3 hits. Ryan Fraser pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, 2BB, 4K. Hamilton Bennett did not allow a hit or run in 1 1/3 innings pitched. Ronny Morla pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning and struck out one.

Batting Prtactice

Prior to the Savannah Sand Gnat/Charleston RiverDog game on Sunday, Savannah Sand Gnat season ticket holder fans were invited to take part in batting practice in the batting cage at home plate at Grayson Stadium.

The hitting coach for the Savannah Sand Gnats, Benny Distefano, former big league veteran(Pirates & Astros), threw batting practice to the fans for an hour.

After batting practice, , the Sand Gnats players, staff, and fans got together in the picnic area for hamburgers and hot dogs.

The afternoon game saw the RiverDogs beat the Gnats by the score of 5-1.

Charleston 5 Savannah 1

The third game of the five game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Charleston RiverDogs was played Sunday afternoon in front of 1,166 fans at Grayson Stadium. The RiverDogs out hit the Gnats 10-7 to win the game 5-1.

Charleston scored a run in the 2nd inning 3bKevin Mahoney doubled and scored on a single by ssJosse Mojica. In the 4th, Charleston took a 3-0 lead on back to back singles and another single scored a run- a ground out scored another run in the inning.

In the 5th inning, the RiverDogs loaded the bases on 3 straight walks, scored a run on a double play. A double scored another run.

Savannah scored their only run in the 8th inning when 2bLuis Nieves doubled and scored on a double by ssWilfredo Tovar.

The only multiple Gnat hitter was Tovar who was 2-for-4 with 2 doubles and 1RBI. Tovar has a seven-game hitting streak.

Loosing pitcher for Savannah, Yohan Almonte(7-8), pitched 4 innings, allowed 3 runs on 8 hits, 1BB, 2K. Luis Rojas pitched 1 inning, allowed 1 hit, 2 runs, 3BB. Michael Hebert pitched 3 shutout innings, 1 hit, 5K, 2BB. Guillaume Leduc pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

Gnats Hot Bats Beats RiverDogs 15-3

The second game of the five game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Charleston RiverDogs was played in front of 2,451 fans Saturday evening at Grayson Stadium. Savannah pounded out 18 hits(last night they had 15) and scored 15 runs to win the game 15-3.

In the second inning, Savannah sent 9 players to the plate, scoring 6 runs. 1bJoe Bonfe was hit by a pitch and scored on a home run over the left field fence by 3bAderline Rodriquez(17th). ssWilfredo Tovar doubled to drive in a run. dhAlbert Cordero drove in a run with a single.

Savannah scored 2 runs in the 4th inning. lfAlonso Harris hit is first home run of the game over the left field fence. A single by rfRaferal Fernandez drove in a run.

In the 6th, Gnats scored 3 runs. Harris doubled and scored on a single by Tovar. A single by Bonfe scored 2 runs. Savannah scored a run in the 7th when Harris doubled and scored on a double by Tovar.

Final Gnat runs were scored in the 8th. Bonfe singled and would score on a ground out. cBlake Forsythe doubled and scored on the second home run of the game by Harris.

For the game Savannah out hit Charleston 18-5. Leading the Gnat hitting barrage was Harris who was 4-for-4 with 2 home runs, 2 doubles, 5 runs scored, 3 RBI's and a stolen base. CfDarrell Ceciliani was 2-for-4, 2 runs scored and a stolen base. Tovar was 3-for-4 with 2 doubles, 3 runs scored and 3 RBI's. Fernandez was 2-for-4 with 3RBI's and a run scored. Bonfe was 3-for-4 with 2RBI's and a run scored. Forsythe was 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Starting Sand Gnat pitcher, Erik Goeddel, was brilliant, pitched 6 shut out innings, gave up only 1 hit, 3BB and struck out 8. Goeddel won the game and is now (3-4). Adam Kolarek earned his 5th save of the year, pitched 3 innings, allowed 3 runs on 4 hits, 1BB, 2K.

Savannah 7 Charleston 6

The first game of the five game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Charleston RiverDogs was played in front of 1,699 fans Friday evening at Grayson Stadium. It is the final home stand of the regular season. Going into the game, Savannah was tied for first place with Augusta with 10 games remaining. It was an exciting finish, with the score tied at 6-6, Savannah scored the winning run in the 9th inning when ssLuis Nieves suicide squeeze bunt scored cBlake Forsythe from 3rd base.

Savannah took a 2-0 lead in the 2nd inning. Forsythe singled, 3bAderline Rodriquez doubled and both runners scored on a single by 2b J. B. Brown.

In the 3rd inning, Charleston took a 4-2 lead as they scored 4 runs on 6 hits(2 doubles and 4 singles).

Savannah tied the game at 4-4 in the 4th inning on back to back home runs by Forsythe over the left-center fence and Rodriquez over the left field fence.

In the 6th inning, Gnats scored 2 runs. cfDarrell Ceciliani singled, stole second, and scored from third base on a wild pitch. DhAlbert Cordero singled to score a run.

The Gnats out hit the RiverDogs 15-9. Ceciliani was 4-for-5 with a triple, 2 stolen bases and one run scored. Cordero was 2-for-5 with 1 RBI. 1bJoe Bonfe went 2-for-5 with a double. Forsythe was 2-for-3 with a home run, 3 runs scored, and 1 RBI. Rodriquez went 3-for-5, with a home run, double, 2 runs scored, 1RBI and a stolen base.

Starting pitcher for Savannah Angel Cuan pitched 6 innings, gave up 6 runs on 9 hits, 1BB, 1K.

Chase Huchingson pitched 2 shutout innings, did not allow a hit, 1BB, 2K. Winning pitcher, Ronny Morla(3-3) pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning striking out 1 batter.

Asheville 5 Savannah 2

The final game of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Asheville Tourists was played in front of 1,816 fans Wednesday evening at Grayson Stadium. Asheville scored 4 runs in the 6th inning on 6 straight hits to help beat Savannah 5-2

The Gnats scored a run in the 5th inning. 2bJ. B. Brown singled and advanced to third on a single by cf Darrell Ceciliani. Brown scored on a bunt single by lfAlonso Harris.

Savannah scored in the 9th inning when c Blake Forsythe hit a home run over the 400 ft. center field fence.

Asheville out hit Savannah 11-8. Harris was 2-for-4 with one RBI. Ceciliani was 2-for-4 with a double.

Starting Sand Gnat pitcher, Erik Goeddel, pitched 5 innings allowed 5 runs on 6 hits, 2BB, 2K.

Luis Rojas pitched 1 shutout inning, gave up 2 hits. Adam Kolarek pitched 3 shutout innings gave up 3 hits and struck out 2.

Rodriquez Homer in the 13th helps Gnats beat Tourists 3-2

The third game of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Asheville Tourists was played in front of 873 fans Tuesday evening at Grayson Stadium. 3bAderline Rodriquez hit a home run over the left field fence with two outs in the bottom of the 13 inning to help Savannah defeat Asheville 3-2.

Savannah scored in the 3rd inning. 1bJoe Bonfe singled and scored when the bases were loaded and rfRaferal Fernandez was hit by a pitch.

Gnats scored a run in the 8th. lfAlonso Harris walked, went to second on a pass ball, and scored on a fielders choice and throwing error by the pitcher.

Rodriquez home run in the 13th, was his 14th of the season.

Gnats had 4 hits for the game. cfDarrell Ceciliani was 1-for-4. dhAlbert Cordero was 1-for-6. Bonfe was 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Rodriquez was 1-for-6 with his home run, a run scored and 1 RBI.

Starting Sand Gnat pitcher Angel Cuan pitched 6 innings, allowed 1 run on 4 hits, 2K. Chase Huchingson pitched 2 shutout innings, struck out 1. Hamilton Bennett pitched 3 innings, allowed 1 run on 2 hits and struck out 1. Brandon Sage (1-0) won his first game of the year, pitched 2 shutout innings , walked 1 and struck out 1.

Gnats Edge Tourists 3-2

The second game of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Asheville Tourists was played in front of 1,863 fans Monday evening at Grayson Stadium. Savannah had 9 hits for the game and their three pitchers held the Tourists to four hits to win the game 3-2.

Savannah scored in the first inning. ssWilfredo Tovar was hit by a pitch, reached second on a balk, and scored on a single by cAlbert Cordero.

In the 3rd inning, Gnats scored. lfAlonso Harris singled and reached second on a ground out. A double by Tovar scored Harris.

Asheville scored 2 runs in the 7th inning to tie the game at 2-2.

Savannah scored the go-ahead run in the 7th inning. cfDarrell Ceciliani singled and stole second. A single by rfRaferal Fernandez scored Ceciliani which turned out to be the winning run.

Hot Gnat hitter, Cordero was 2-for-4 with one RBI. Tovar was 1-for-2 with one RBI.

Sand Gnat starting pitcher, Taylor Whitenton was stellar pitching 6 shutout innings, allowed only 2 hits, 2BB and struck out 6. Winning pitcher, Michael Hebert(2-1) pitched 2 innings, allowed 2 runs on 2 hits, 1BB, 1K. Ronny Morla earned his 9th save, pitched the 9th inning, 1BB and struck out 2.

Asheville 5 Savannah 4

The first game of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Asheville Tourists was played in front of 1,208 fans Sunday evening at Grayson Stadium. The Gnats out hit the Tourists, 6-5, but lost the game by the score of 5-4.

Savannah scored 2 runs in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. cfDarrell Ceciliani lead off with a double, went to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a ground out. A double by cAlbert Cordero scored rf Raferal Fernandez who walked.

Asheville tied the game in the 3rd inning. 1bMark Tracy doubled and scored when ssJoey Wong hit a home run down the line over the right field fence..

Savannah scored their final 2 runs in the 6th inning. Fernandez singled and scored on a triple by Cordero. A fielding error allowed Cordero to score.

Cordero, who has the Gnats highest batting average at .286, was 2-for-4 with 2 RBI's.

Starting Sand Gnat pitcher Ryan Fraser took the loss(7-8), pitched 3 1/3 innings, allowed 4 runs on 3 hits, 4BB, and struck out 3. Brandon Sage pitched 1 1/3 allowed 1 run on 1 hit and walked 1. Gonzales Germen pitched 4 shut out innings, gave up 1 hit, 1BB, 2 strikeouts.

Photo courtesy of Ed DeVita, Editor of The Savannah Sports Monthly.

Rain Suspends Gnats/Drive Game Saturday

The final game of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Greenville Drive was played Saturday evening at Grayson Stadium. Heavy rains made the field unplayable and the game was stopped after 4 1/2 innings with Greenville leading 1-0. It was announced the game will be completed when the Gnats visit Greenville for the series from August 18-21.

Gnats Edge Drive in the 9th 5-4

The third game of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Greenville Drive was played in front of 992 fans Friday evening at Grayson Stadium. Gnat pitching limited the Drive to 4 hits for the game to help win the game, 5-4.

Savannah got off to a fast start scoring 3 runs in the 1st inning. cfAlonso Harris led off with a bunt single. ssWilfredo Tovar reached first on a force attempt and a throwing error allowed both runners to advance an extra base. rfRaferal Fernandez tripled to score 2 runs. Fernandez scores when cBlake Forsythe reached first on a throwing error.

Gnats added a run in the 7th. Tovar doubled with two outs and scored single by Fernandez.

It was an exciting 9th inning. Drive ss Xander Bogaerts hit a home run over the left-center field fence to tie the score at 4-4. Gnats had the bases loaded in the 9th and cBlake Forsythe with a 3-2 count walked to bring in the winning run.

Savannah had 10 hits for the game. Tovar was 2-for-4 with 2 runs scored and extended his hitting streak to 7 straight games. Nieves was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Fernandez was 2-for-4, a run scored and 3RBI's.

Starting Savannah pitcher, Eric Goeddel, Pitched 4 innings, allowed 3 runs on 2 hits, 3BB, 2strike outs. Winning pitcher Adam Kolarek (6-0) pitched 5 innings, allowed 1 run on 2 hits, 1BB and struck out 6.

Savannah 5 Greenville 3

The 2nd game of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Greenville Drive was played in front of 1,821 fans Thursday evening at Grayson Stadium. Bonfe and Butler with combined 6 hits and 4 runs scored, led the Gnats to a 5-3 win.

Savannah tied the score at 2-2 in the 2nd inning. 3bJoe Bonfe doubled and scored on a single by 1bJet Butler. cfDarrell Ceciliani singled to score Butler.

Gnats scored 3 runs in the 4th inning. Bonfe and Butler singled. 2bLuis Nieves singled to score Bonfe. lfAlonso Harris single loaded the bases. Butler and Nieves scored on a single by ssWilfredo Tovar.

Gnats out hit the Drive 13-10. Bonfe was 3-for-4 with a double and 2 runs scored. Butler went 3-for-4 with 2 runs scored and a RBI. Ceciliani was 2-for-4 with 1 RBI.

Starting pitcher for Savannah, Angel Cuan, pitched 6 innings, allowed 2 runs on 6 hits 2BB and struck out 9. With the win, Cuan improved his record to 10-2. Chase Huchingson pitched 2 innings allowed 1 run on 3 hits, 1BB, 2K. Closer Hamilton Bennett earned his 12 save of the season, pitching the 9th inning, allowed 1 hit and struck out Vasquez on a called third strike to end the game.

Photo courtesy of Ed DeVita, Editor of the Savannah Sports Monthly.

Drives 5 Doubles Down Gnats 7-2

The first game of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Greenville Drive was played in front of 1,494 fans Wednesday evening at Grayson Stadium. Five doubles by Drive hitters helped them win the game 7-2.

Drive catcher, Christian Vasquez doubled three consecutive times at bat driving in 5 runs for the game. Starting pitcher Kyle Stroup allowed Savannah only 4 hits, 2 runs, 6K, in 6 innings of work.

Savannah scored their runs in the 2nd inning. cAlbert Cordero singled and scored when 1bJoe Bonfe hit a home run blast over the left field fence to give the Gnats a 2-1 lead. It was the second home run of the year for Bonfe. k

Greenville out hit the Gnats 8-5 for the game. Cordero was 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Cordero has hit in 10 straight games.

Starting Sand Gnat pitcher Taylor Whitenton took the loss and is now(4-3). He pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowed 6 runs on 7 hits, 2BB and 5K. Luis Rojas pitched 3 2/3 shutout innings, 2BB, and 2K. Ronny Morla pitched 1 inning, allowed 1 run on 1 hit and walked 1.

RiverDogs 6 Sand Gnats 5

Last night I attended the game between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Charleston RiverDogs in Charleston. Twenty Savannah Sand Gnats fans took a limo bus to watch the game. Although Savannah out hit Charleston 13-8 they lost the game to the RiverDogs 6-5 in a thrilling 9th inning.

Swinging hot bats for the Gnats, cAlbert Cordero was 3-for-3 with a double and 1 RBI. ssWilfredo Tovar was 3-for-4. lfAlonzo Harris was 2-for-4 with 2 runs scored. cfDarrell Ceciliani was 2-for-4 with 1 RBI and 2 runs scored.

Starting Sand Gnat pitcher, Angel Cuan took the loss and is now (9-2). He pitched 6 innings, allowed 5 runs on 7 hits, 1BB, and struck out 7.

With Savannah trailing 6-4 going in their 9th inning, they had the bases loaded with 1 out. Cordero walked to make the score 6-5 , but could not score another run.

The announced attendance was 4,722.

Savannah 5 Augusta 3

The final game of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Augusta GreenJackets was played in front of 1,897 fans Thursday evening at Grayson Stadium. The Gnats beat the GreenJackets 5-3 and won three games out of the four game series.

Savannah scored a run in the 1st. cfDarrell Ceciliani led off with a double and went to third on a ground out and scored on a sac fly.

In the 3rd, Savannah scored twice. Ceciliani singled, ssWilfredo Tovar singled, and rfRaferal Fernandez single scored Ceciliani. Tovar scored on a sac fly.

The final Savannah two runs were scored in the 8th inning. dhAlbert Cordero reached first on a throwing error by the shortstop and reached second on a sac bunt. lfJoe Bonfe walked. 1bJuan Torres single scored Harris who ran for Cordero at second base. A ground out scored Bonfe.

Savannah out hit Augusta 10-9. Torres went 3-for-4 with one RBI. Tovar was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Ceciliani was 2-for-5 with a double and 2 runs scored.

Starting Savannah pitcher Taylor Whitenton pitched 3 shutout innings, allowed 3 hits, 1BB and struck out 2. Luis Rojas 1 1/3 innings, allowed 3 runs on 4 hits and walked 1. Guillaume Leduc pitched 2 2/3 innings, gave up 1 hit, 1BB, and struck out 2. Winning pitcher Gabriel Zavala (2-5) pitched a 1-2-3 8th inning. Hamilton Bennett earned his 11th save, pitched the 9th inning, allowed 1 hit and struck out 2.

Gnats Shutout GreenJackets 2-0

The third game of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Augusta GreenJackets was played in front of 1,111 fans Wednesday evening at Grayson Stadium.

Savannah pitching of Fraser and Hebert was noteworthy,combined to allowed Augusta only 4 hits, no runs and struck out 9 batters.

Gnats scored in the second inning: cBlake Forsythe singled and dhAlbert Cordero singled. A ground out sent Forsythe to third and he scored when 1bJoe Bonfe grounded into a force out. In the 5th inning, Savannah scored their final run. 3bAderline Rodriquez hit a double. Bonfe singled moving Rodriquez to third. 2b Jet Butler singled to drive in Rodriquez.

Savannah had 6 hits for the game. Cordero, who had the only multiple hits for the game, was 2-for-3

Winning pitcher for the Gnats, Ryan Fraser,(7-7) pitched 5 shutout innings, allowed only 3 hits, 2BB and struck out 5. Earning his first save, Michael Hebert, pitched 4 shutout innings, allowed 1 hit, 1BB, and struck out 4.

Sand Gnats 8 GreenJackets 3

The second game of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Augusta GreenJackets was played in front of 1,003 fans Tuesday evening at Grayson Stadium.

Savannah scored 2 runs in the 2nd inning. 1bJoe Bonfe hit a double, moved to third on a ground out and scored on an error. cfDarrell Ceciliani doubled to drive in a run. In the 3rd inning, cAlbert Cordero hit a home run over the left field fence(his 5th of the year) and Savannah took a 3-2 lead.

Gnats scored a run in the 5th inning. In the 8th inning, Savannah scored 4 runs. 2bLuis Nieves singled and lfAlfonso Harris and ssWilfredo Tovar walked to load the bases. A double by rf Raferal Fernandez cleared the bases. dhBlake Forsythe singled to drive in Fernandez.

For the game, Savannah out hit Augusta 8-6. Cordero was 2-for-5 with a double, home run, 2RBI's, and a run scored. Fernandez was 2-for-5 with a double, 3 RBI's and a run scored.

Starting Sand Gnat pitcher, Yohan Almomte won the game and is now (5-6). He pitched 6 innings, allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, 3BB, 3WP, and struck out 6. Guillume Leduc pitched 1 inning and gave up 1 hit. Hamilton Bennett earned his 10th save of the year, pitched 2 innings, allowed 1 run on 2 hits and struck out 2.

Augusta 4 Savannah 3

The first game of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Augusta GreenJackets was played in front of 1,980 fans Monday evening at Grayson Stadium. With the Gnats leading 3-2 going into the top of the 8th inning, the GreenJackets scored 2 runs to take the lead 4-3 held on to win the game.

Augusta scored a run in the first and Savannah answered with 2 runs in their first when 2bLuis Nieves tripled to drive in two runs who walked and reached base on an error. Savannah scored in the 4th: Nieves led off the inning with a bunt single, advanced to second on a ground out. A single by cfDarrell Ceciliani on a ground ball to third, followed by a throwing error by the third baseman, allowed Nieves to score.

Savannah out hit Augusta for the game 9-8. Nieves was 3-for-3 with a triple, 2RBI's, and a run scored. RfRaferal Fernandez was 2-for-3 with a walk.

Starting Sand Gnat pitcher, Angel Cuan pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowed 2 runs on 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3. Losing pitcher, Ronny Morla, (2-3) pitched 1 1/3 innings, allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, 1BB, 2 strikeouts. Gabriel Zavala pitched the 9th, went 1-2-3 and struck out 1.