Savannah 3 Charleston 1

The second game of the three game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Charleston RiverDogs was played Monday afternoon in front of 1,313 fans at Grayson Stadium. The first place Gnats made good use of their 5 hits to score 3 runs and win the game 3-1.

Charleston scored their only run in the 7th inning on a home run by cJeff Farnham.

Savannah scored all three runs in the 4th inning. rfRafael Fernandez walked followed by a single by 3bJoe Bonfe. 1bSam Honeck drove in Fernandez with a single. A single by cfDarrell Ceciliani scored two runs.

For the game, Savannah collected 5 hits. Honeck was 1-for-3, with a run scored and a RBI. Bonfe was 1-for-3 with a run scored. Ceciliani went 1-for-3, with 2 RBI's and a stolen base.

The winning pitcher for Savannah, was starter, Gonzalez German (4-1) pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowed 1 run on 5 hits, walked 4, and struck out 6. Adam Kolarek, who joined the Gnats on May 29th, went 2/3 of an inning, gave up one hit, walked one, and struck out one. Hamilton Bennett, who earned his second save of the season, pitched 1 2/3 innings and did not allow a run or hit and struck out 1.

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

Sand Gnats 4 Riverdogs 3

The first game of the three game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Charleston Riverdogs(New York Yankees) was played Sunday evening in front of 3,069 fans at Grayson Stadium. Charleston's five errors helped Savannah win 4-3.

Savannah scored two runs in the 4th inning. Back to back walks to lfRaferal Fernandez and dhBlake Forsythe - a single by 1bJoe Bonfe scored Fernandez. cAlbert Cordero singled to score Forsythe for a 2-0 lead.

Gnats scored two runs in the 7th. Bonfe singled and advanced to second on a sac bunt. cfDarrell Ceciliani singled scoring Bonfe. ssRobbie Shields singled to score Ceciliani.

Savannah had 7 hits for the game. rfCory Vaughn was 2-for-4 and is now batting .337 and is leading the team in batting. Bonfe was 2-for-4, with run scored and a RBI. Cordero was 1-for-3 with a sac bunt and one RBI.

Starting Savannah pitcher Chase Huchingson pitched 5 innings, allowed 1 run on 5 hits, struck out 6 and walked one. Angel Cuan(W,3-1) went 2 2/3 innings, allowed 2 runs on 5 hits and struck out 5. Josh Edgin earned his 8th save, went 1 1/3 innings, gave up 1 hit and struck out 2.

Gnats shut out Drive 1-0

The final game of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Greenville Drive was played in front of 3,033 fans Monday evening at Grayson Stadium. Stellar Savannah pitching shutout the Drive and allowed only 2 hits for the game. The first place Gnats won three out of four games from the Drive.

Savannah scored in the 5th inning when cAlbert Cordero led off the inning with a double to centerfield. 1bJoe Bonfe bunt single followed by a throwing error by the third baseman, allowed Cordero to score from second base.

For the Game, Savannah had 6 hits. rfCory Vaughn was 2-for-3 and leads the team in hitting at .331. 1bJoe Bonfe was 2-for-3. Cordero was 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored. 2bRobbie Shields was 0-4 and ended his hitting streak at 12 consecutive games.

Savannah starting pitcher, Chase Huchingson,(W, 2-2) pitched 5 shutout innings, allowed only 2 hits, walked 3, and struck out 7. Three relievers did not allow a run or hit. Erik Goeddel(3 innings), Gabriel Zavala (1/3 inning), Hamiliton Bennett(2/3 inning). Bennett earned his first save of the year.

Gnats Rally in the 8th for the win

The third game of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Greenville Drive was played in front of 1,288 fans Sunday afternoon. Savannah scored 5 runs in the 8th inning to win the game 5-4. The win places Savannah in first place over Greenville by a half game in the Southern Division.

In the 3rd inning, the Drive had 4 hits and scored 2 runs. A triple by ssJose Garcia in the 7th inning scored 2 runs and gave Greenville a 4-0 lead.

Savannah had two hits in the first inning and went hitless until the 8th inning when they scored 5 runs. ssWilfredo Tovar and lfAlonso Harris walked. cfDarrell Ceciliani singled to drive in Tovar. ssRobbie Shields singled to load the bases. rfCory Vaughn hit a double to clear the bases and tie the game at 4-4. dhBlake Forsythe hit a single to score Vaughn and give Savannah the lead at 5-4.

The Gnats had 6 hits for the game. Vaughn was 2-for-3 with 3 RBI's and a run scored. Shields went 2-for-4 with a run scored and extended his hitting streak to 12 straight games.

Savannah starting pitcher, Ryan Fraser went 6 1/3 innings, gave up 4 runs(3 earned), 8 hits and struck out 3. Angel Cuan pitched 2 2/3 innings, gave up 3 hits and struck out 5. With the win, Cuan improved his record to(2-1).

Ranaudo shuts out Gnats for 5 innings.

Last night starting pitcher for the Greenville Drive, Anthony Ranaudo, pitched 5 shutout innings against the Savannah Sand Gnats. The 6'-7" right-hander, allowed 6 hits, 1BB, and struck out 3.

Baseball America Prospect Handbook lists Ranaudo as the second best prospect in the Boston Red Sox organization. He signed for $2.55 million at the deadline.

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

Savannah Sand Gnats 5 Greenville Drive 3

The second game of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Greenville Drive was played in front of 3,810 fans Saturday evening at Grayson Stadium. Savannah won 5-3 to move within a half game of first place.

Greenville scored their first run in the 3rd inning, and scored two runs in the 6th inning.

Savannah scored 3 runs in the 6th inning to tie the game. ssRobbie Shields and lfCory Vaughn hit back to back singles and both scored on a triple by 3bAderline Rodriquez. A ground out scored Rodriquez. Gnats scored 2runs in the 8th on 3 walks, a single and a sac fly. 2bWilfredo Tovar hit a sac fly to right to score the go-ahead run. Dh Luis Nieves drove in the final Gnat run with a single.

Savannah had 11 hits for the game. Aderline Rodriquez was 3-for-3, with a triple, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI's. Luis Nieves was 2-for-3 with a stolen base and and 1RBI. Robbie Shields singled in the 6th to continue his hitting streak to 11 straight games.

Starting Sand Gnat pitcher, Taylor Whitenton pitched 4 1/3 inning, allowed 1 run on 3 hits and struck out 8. Gabriel Zavala pitched 1 2/3 innings, gave up 2 runs on 2 hits and struck out 1. Josh Edgin won his first game of the year, pitched 3 shutout innings, allowed 1 hit and struck out 4.

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

Greenville Drive 9 Savannah Sand Gnats 3

The Savannah Sand Gnats played the Greenville Drive(Boston Red Sox) Friday evening in front of 2,603 fans at Grayson Stadium. The Drive won the first game of the four game series, 9-3. Going into the game, Greenville was a half-game ahead of the Gnats for first place in the South Atlantic League Southern Division

Greenville got off to a fast start in their first inning scoring 4 runs on a walk, hit batter, and 4 hits. The Drive added another run in the 2nd. They added another run in the 7th on a home run by rfBryce Brentz. Greenville scored a run in the 8th and 2 runs in the 9th.

Savannah scored 2 runs in the 1st: ssRobbie Shields doubled and 3bAderline Rodriguez reached base on a filders choice. lfRaferal Fernandez singled driving in two runs. Sand Gnats scored a run in the 5th.

For the game, Savannah had 7 hits. ssRobbie Shields,who has hit in 10 straight games, was 2-for-4 with 2 runs scored. lfRaferal Fernandez was 2-for-4 with 2 RBI's.

Starting Savannah Sand Gnat pitcher, Greg Peavey, (L,3-2) went 5 innings, allowed 5 runs on 7 hits, walked 1 and struck out 2. Hamilton Bennett pitched 2 innings, gave up 1 run on 3 hits, struck out 2. Michael Weldon, who joined the Gnats on May 12, allowed 3 runs on 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1.

Crawdads beat Gnats 1-0 in 13 innings

The final game of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Hickory Crawdads was played Friday evening at Grayson Stadium. Hickory won the game on a wild pitch in the 13th inning 1-0 to avoid been swept in the series.

Hickory shortstop, Jurickson Profar led off the 13th inning with a double and advanced to third on a fly out to center. Gnat reliever, Luis Rojas threw a wild pitch over the outstreched reach of the catcher on ball four of an intentional walk allowing Profar to score from third.

Savannah collected 10 hits for the game. rfCory Vaughn, who led the team in high batting average going into the game with .318, went 3-for-4. dhRobbie Shields was 2-for-5. 2bLuis Nieves was 2-for-4.

Savannah starting pitcher Ryan Fraser was superb pitching 6 2/3 shutout innings, allowed only 2 hits, 2BB, 3 strikeouts, and hit one batter. Angel Cuan worked 1 1/3 gave up 2 hits and struck out 2. Hamilton Bennett went 3 innings, 0 hits, 2BB and struck out 4. Luis Rojas(L,1-2) pitched 2 innings, allowed 1 run on 2hits, 2BB and struck out 1.

The announced attendance was 2,126.

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

Savannah Sand Gnats 2 Hickory Crawdads 0

The third game of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Hickory Crawdads was played in front of 1,187 fans Wednesday evening at grayson Stadium. Once again dominant pitching by Savannah shutout Hickory on 5 hits to win the game 2-0 and lead the series, 3-0.

Savannah scored their first run in the 5th inning. lfRaferal Fernandez led off with a single, advanced to third, and scored on a sac fly to center field by dhAlbert Cordero.

Gnats scored their final run in the 8th inning.ssRobbie Shields tripled and scored on a single off the right field wall by Raferal Fernandez.

Savannah had 9 hits for the game. 3bAderline Rodriguez was 2-for-4. cBlake Forsythe was 2-for-2. rfCory Vaughn was 1-for-2. Albert Cordero was 1-for-1 with a RBI. Raferal Fernandez was 2-for-4 with a RBI.

Starting Sand Gnat pitcher Taylor Whitenton pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowed 4 hits, 2BB and struck out 5. Gabriel Zavala(W,1-3) pitched 2 1/3 innings, walked 2 and struck out 1. Luis Rojas gave up 1 hit in the 8th. Closer Josh Edgin earned his 6th save of the season pitching the 9th inning.

Savannah Sand Gnats 3 Hickory Crawdads 1

The second game of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Hickory Crawdads was played Tuesday evening at Grayson Stadium. The Gnats continued their outstanding pitching allowing Hickory just 1 run on 5 hits, and won the game 3-1.

Savannah scored their first run in the first:lfDarrell Ceciliani led off with a walk, advanced to third and scored on a groundout by 3bAderline Rodriquez.

In the third inning, Ceciliani singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch. A. Rodriquez walked. ssRobbie Shields doubled to score two runs.

For the game, Savannah had 6 hits. lfAlonso Harris was 1for-2. dhAlbert Cordero was 1-for-3. Robbie Shields was 1-for-3 with a double and 2 RBI's. Darrell Ceciliani went 1-for-3 and scored 2 runs.

Savannah starting pitcher Greg Peavey (W,2-1) went 6 innings, gave up 1 run on 4 hits, 0BB, and struck out 6. Angel Cuan did not allow a run or hit pitching the 7th and 8th. Josh Edgin earned his 5th save pitching the 9th inning, no runs, 1 hit, 1BB, and struck out 2.

The announced attendance was 776.

Savannah Sand Gnats 6 Hickory Crawdads 1

The first game of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Hickory Crawdads(Texas Rangers) was played Monday evening at Grayson Stadium. Savannah made good use of their 8 hits and 7 walks received to win the game 6-1.

Savannah scored 3 runs in the 2nd inning thanks to four walks. The only hit in the inning was by dhBlake Forsythe driving in the first run. The other two runs were scored on outs.

In the 3rd inning Savannah scored 3 runs with the help of 3 more walks. After two walks, Blake Forsythe singled to drive in a run. 2bLuis Nieves drove in two runs with a double.

The Gnats had 8 hits for the game. Blake Forsythe was 2-for-4 with 2 runs score and 2 RBI's. Luis Nieves was 2-for3 with 2RBI's.

Savannah starting pitcher Gonzalez Germen (W,2-1) was masterful pitching 7 shutout innings, allowed 4 hits, 2BB, and struck out 7. Reliever Luis Rojas pitched a shut out inning in the 8th. Hamilton Bennett, who joined the Gnats on May 5th, made his debut pitching in the 9th, allowing 1 run on 1 hit and walked 1.

The announced attendance was 1,780.

.

Rome Braves 3 Sand Gnats 0

The final game of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Rome Braves was played Sunday afternoon at Grayson Stadium. The Braves won the game 3-0 to even the series at 2-2.

Rome scored two runs in the 4th inning: 3bBarrett Kleinknecht walked, ssEdward Salcedo singled and both runners scored on a triple by dhRobert Hefflinger. The Braves scored their final run in the 8th inning.

Two Sand Gnats players accounted for the teams 5 hits: cfDarrell Ceciliani went 2-for 4. lfCory Vaughn was 3-for-4 with a double and he increased his team high batting average from.309 to .327.

Starting Savannah pitcher, Erik Goeddel, (L, 1-2) pitched 6 innings, allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, walked 1 and struck out 5. Reliever Chase Huchingson allowed 1 run on 4 hits, struck out 3 in 3 innings of work.

The announced attendance was 864.

Savannah Sand Gnats 3 Rome Braves 1

The third game of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Rome Braves was played Saturday evening at Grayson Stadium. Savannah won the game 3-1 to lead the series at 2-1.

The Gnats scored in the first: 2bWilfredo Tovar doubled and moved to third on a single by lfCory Vaughn. Tovar scored on a sac fly by 3bAderline Rodriquez.

Savannah scored in the 4th on walks to Cory Vuaghn and cBlake Forsythe. A single by 1bSam Honeck scored Vaughn.

In the 6th inning Savannah scored their final run. ssRobbie Shields doubled and scored on a single by Sam Honeck.

The Gnats had 8 hits for the game. Sam Honeck was 2-for-4 and had two RBI's.

Savannah starting pitcher, Ryan Fraser(w,2-3) pitched 5 2/3 innings allowed 1 run on 6 hits, walked 4 and struck out 2. Angel Cuan worked 2 1/3 innings, allowed 2 hits and struck out 2.

Ronny Morla pitched the 9th, gave up 1 hit, 1BB, struckout 1 to earn his 4th save.

The announced attendance was 2,905.

Savannah Sand Gnats 2 Rome Braves 0

The second game of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Rome Braves was played Friday evening at Grayson Stadium. Savannah utilized timely hitting and outstanding pitching to shutout the Braves, 2-0.

Savannah score both of their runs in the bottom of the first. cfDarrell Ceciliani, ssWilfredo Tovar, lfCory Vaughn singled to load the bases. Ceciliani scored on a ground out by 3bAderline Rodriques. dhRobbie Shields hit a sac fly to right to score Tovar.

The Gnats had 5 hits for the game. Cory Vaughn was 2-for-4. rfJavier Rodriquez was 1-for-2.

Starting Sand Gnat pitcher, Taylor Whitenton(w,2-0) pitched 7 shutout innings, walked 1, allowed 3 hits and struck out 3. Reliver Josh Edgin pitched 1 inning and struck out 1. Ronny Morla earned his 3rd save, allowed 1 hit, struck out 2 in one inning pitched.

Rome Braves 2 Savannah Sand Gnats 0

The first game of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Rome Braves was played Thursday evening at Grayson Stadium. The Braves won the game, 2-0.

Rome scored their first run in the 8th inning:2bMatt Lipka singled. 1bBarrett Kleinneckt reached first base on an error. ssEdward Salcedo walked to load the bases. lfRobert Heffilnger hit a sac fly to center to score Lipka. Rome scored their second run in the 9th on a throwing error.

The Sand Gnats had five hits for the game. lfAlonso Harris was 2-for-3.

Starting Savannah pitcher, Greg Peavey was sharpe, pitching 6 shutout innings, struck out 6 and allowed only 3 hits. Reliver Gabriel Zavalla(0-3) took the loss, pitched 1 inning, allowed 1 run on 2 hits and struck out 1. Josh Edgin pitched the last two innings, allowed 1 run on 1 hit and struck out one.

The announced attendance was 2,651.