Gnats Shutout GreenJackets Sunday2-0

The final game of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Augusta GreenJackets was played Sunday afternoon at Grayson Stadium in front of 1,046 fans. Stellar Sand Gnat pitching shut out Augusta and allowed 5 hits to win the game 2-0.

Savannah scored their first run in the 6th inning. 2bLuis Nieves walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch. cfRaferal Fernandez singled and Nieves advanced to third base. Nieves scored when 3bAderline Rodriquez grounded into a double play. The final Sand Gnat run was scored in the 8th inning. Fernandez walked and advanced to second on a sac bunt. rfJoe Bonfe hit a double to score Fernandez.

Savannah had five hits for the game. Fernandez was 2-for-3 with a run scored. Bonfe was 1-for-2 with a RBI.

Winning pitcher, Taylor Whitenton, (4-1) pitched 6 shutout innings, allowed 4 hits, 1 BB, and struck out 4. Gabriel Zavala, did not allow a hit in 2 shutout innings pitched, striking out 3. Hamilton Bennett,pitched the 9th inning, allowed 1 hit and struck out 1. It was Bennett's Birthday and he earned his 6th save of the season.

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

Gnats Rally in the 6th to Beat GreenJackets 6-5

The Savannah Sand Gnats and the Augusta GreenJackets played the 3rd game of the four game series Saturday evening at Grayson Stadium in front of 3,553 fans. Trailing 5-2 going into the bottom of the 6th, the Sand Gnats scored 4 runs to beat Augusta 6-5.

Savannah scored their first run in the 1st inning. cfRaferal Fernandez doubled, moved to third on a ground out and scored on an error by the third baseman. The second run was scored in the 2nd inning. 1bSam Honeck singled reached third and scored on a wild pitch. A big 6th inning saw Savannah score 4 runs on 4 walks and 3 hits. Singles by cAlbert Cordero and Joe Bonfe, with ssWilfredo Tovar hitting a double to drive in 2 runs. With the bases loaded, 2 Sand Gnats received walks to score 2 runs.

Savannah had 11 hits for the game. Tovar was 2-for-5 with 2 RBI's. Cordero was 2-for-4. Honeck was 2-for-3 and 2 runs scored.

Starting Sand Gnat pitcher,Ryan Fraser, pitched 5 innings, allowed 5 runs on 6 hits, walked 4, and struck out 4. Winning pitcher Michael Weldon(2-1) pitched 2 shutout innings and did not allow a hit. Ronny Morla pitched the final 2 innings, allowed 1 hit, walked 2, and struck out 3. Morla earned his 5th save of the season.

Gnats Split Doubleheader With GreenJackets

The Savannah Sand Gnats and the Augusta GreenJackets played a doubleheader Friday at Grayson Stadium to start the second half of the season. The teams split with Savannah winning the first game 2-1 and loosing the second game 4-2.

Game 1:

Savannah had 8 hits for the game and allowed Augusta 1 run on 1 hit for the 7 inning game. Angel Cuan pitched 3 perfect innings to start the game for the Sand Gnats. Adam Kolarek followed allowing 1 run in 2 innings. Hamilton Bennett pitched 2 scoreless innings to earn his 5th save of the season.

Savannah scored in the 4th inning.3bAderline Rodriquez doubled, advanced to third on a ground out and scored on a ground out. In the 5th Sand Gnats scored when cfDarrell Ceciliani singled, stole second, and scored on a single by rfRaferal Fernandez.

Game 2:

Sand Gnats scored 2 runs for the game on 2 hits. They scored 2 runs in the 4th to take a 2-1 lead. Back to back walks to Ceciliani and ssWilfredo Tovar, followed by a sac bunt moved the runners to second and third. Both runners scored on a single by Rodriquez.

In the 5th inning Augusta took the lead on a 3run home run over the left field fence by dhJosh Mazzola

Starting Savannah pitcher, Yohan Almonte (2-4) took the loss pitching 5 innings, allowed 4 runs on 5 hits, walked 3 and struck out 1.

The announced attendance was 2,599.

Drive Shut out Sand Gnats Friday 5-0

I had the opportunity to attend the game between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Greenville Drive in downtown Greenville, S. C. Friday evening. Many fans were late arriving at the game, but attendance was impressive at 5,912 fans in attendance at beautiful Fluor Field.Final score Greenville 5 Savannah 0.

Savannah had numerous chances to score with 9 hits for the game and they left 13 men on base. In the 9th, Gnats loaded the bases with one out, but could not score.

Grenville also had 9 hits for the game and had 2 home runs. cfHenry Ramos solo homer in the 4th made the score 3-0. In the 5th inning, lfBrandon Jacobs hit a 2run home run to make the score 5-0.

Hitting stars for Savannah. lfJoe Bonfe was 3-for-4 with a double. ssWilfrdo Tovar was 2-for-4.

Another strong pitching performance by Chase Huchingson pitching the final three innings for the Sand Gnats. Huchingson did not allow a run, allowed only 1 hit and struck out five.

Sand Gnats Sweep Rome

The Final game of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Rome Braves was played Wednesday evening in front of 1,810 fans at Grayson Stadium. Savannah came back to beat Rome 6-5 winning eight games in a row. The Sand Gnats swept back to back home games with Augusta and Rome.

In the 3rd inning, Savannah scored 2 runs to tie the game. ssWilfredo Tovar singled. rfRaferal Fernandez reached first on an error. 3bAderline Rodriquez singled to score Tovar. dhAlbert Cordero hit a sac fly to score Fernandez.

Sand Gnats down 4-2 going into the 5th, scored when cBlake Forsythe singled and reached second on a wild pitch. A double by Cordero scored Forsythe. Savannah tied the game in the 6th inning lfAlonzo Harris singled and scored on a triple by Tovar. Trailing 5-4 going into the 8th inning, Savannah scored twice to take the lead 6-5.

Savannah had 12 hits for the game. Tovar was 3-for-5, 2 runs scored, 2 RBI's. Forsythe was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Rodriquez was 2-for-5 with a RBI.

Starter Greg Peavey pitched 6 innings for the Gnats, allowed 4 runs on 6 hits, and struck out 5. Winning pitcher Adam Kolarek (1-0) pitched 2 innings, allowed 1 run on 3 hits, 1BB and struck out 3. Hamiliton Bennett earned his 4th save of the season, pitched the 9th inning and struck out 2.

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

Sand Gnats Win Back-to-Back First-Half Titles

With the 2-1 victory over the Rome Braves Tuesday evening, the Savannah Sand Gnats won back-to-back first half championship in the SAL Southern Division. The game was played in front of 1,563 fans at Grayson Stadium.

Savannah scored both of their runs in the 2nd inning. The inning started by back to back singles by lfRaferal Fernandez and 3bAderline Rodriquez. A single by cAlbert Cordero scored Fernandez. Dh Luis Nieves hit into a fielders choice to score Rodriquez.

Rome scored their run in the 6th inning when rfRobert Hefflinger hit a home run(his 3rd) over the right field fence.

The Sand Gnats made good use of their 5 hits for the game. Cordero went 2-for-3 with a RBI.

Winning pitcher, Gonzales Germen, who is now 5-2, pitched 7 innings, allowed 1 run on 5 hits and struck out 4. Josh Edgin pitched the final two innings to earn his 16th save of the season.

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

Savannah 2 Rome 1

The second game of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Rome Braves was played in front of 2,448 fans Monday evening at Grayson Stadium. Savannah remains in first place and leads the Greenville Drive by 5.5 games with 6 games left to play in the first half.

The Sand Gnats scored in the 2nd inning. 3bAderline Rodriquez reached first base on a fielders choice. cBlake Forsythe singled to left field and the ball got past the left fielder enabling Rodriquez to score. In the 6th inning, rfCory Vaughn tripled and scored on a single by Rodriquez.

For the game, Savannah had 8 hits. Rodriquez was 2-for-4 with a RBI and a run scored. ssWilfredo Tovar was 1-for-3 and extended his hitting streak to 12 games.

With the win, Ryan Fraser improved his record to 4-4. Fraser pitched 6 shutout innings, allowed 7 hits and struck out 5. Angel Cuan allowed 1 run, gave up 2 hits and struck out 1. Josh Edgin pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to earn his 15 save of the season.

Sand Gnats Rally in the 8th to Beat Rome 5-1

The first game of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Rome Braves was played in front of 1,396 fans Sunday evening at Grayson Stadium. Savannah made good use of their four hits for the game and outstanding pitching enabled them to win 5-1. The win places Savannah 5.5 games ahead of the Greenville Drive in first place in the SAL Southern Division.

Sand Gnats scored in the 3rd inning. cAlbert Cordero singled and moved to second on a wild pitch. ssWilfredo Tovar doubled to score Cordero.

With the score tied at 1-1 going into the bottom of the 8th inning, Savannah rallied to score 4 runs. Tovar drew a base on ball. cfDarrell Ceciliani was hit by a pitch. ssRobbie Shields laid down a bunt in which the pitcher threw the ball over the 3rd baseman's head to allow Tovar to score. A triple by lfRaferal Fernandez drove in two runs. A sac fly by 3bAderline Rodriquez scored Fernandez.

Sand Gnats had 4 hits for the game. Tovar, who extended his hitting streak to 11 games, was 1-for-2 with a RBI. Fernandez was 1-for-4 and drove in 2 runs. cAlbert Cordero was 1-for-3 with a run scored. 1bSam Honeck went 1-for-3.

Starting pitcher for Savannah, Yohan Almonte pitched 5 innings allowed only 1 run on 4 hits, and struck out 3. Chase Huchingson pitched 4 shutout innings, gave up only 1 hit,walked 2 and struck out 2. With the win, Huchingson improved his record to 4-2 and lowered his ERA to 1.97.

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

Sand Gnats Sweep GreenJackets in 3 Game Series

The final game of the three game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Augusta GreenJackets was played in front of 2,609 fans Saturday evening at Grayson Stadium. Savannah won 4-2 to sweep the three game series and remain in first place 4.5 games in front of the Greenville Drive in the SAL Southern Division.

Sand Gnats scored the first run of the game in the 6th inning. cfDarrell Ceciliani singled and scored on a double by ssRobbie Shields.

Trailing 2-1 going into the bottom of the 8th inning, Savannah scored 3 runs. cAlbert Cordero was hit by a pitch. 2bWilfredo Tovar singled. A double by Ceciliani scored two runs. After advancing to third on a wild pitch, Ceciliani scored on a sac fly by Shields.

Savannah had 6 hits for the game. Tovar was 2-for-3 with a run scored. Shields was 1-for-3 with 2 RBI's. Ceciliani was 2-for-4 with 2 RBI's and 2 runs scored.

Starting Sand Gnat pitcher, Taylor Whitenton, pitched 5 shutout innings, allowed 2 hits, walked 4 and struck out 5. Todd Weldon pitched 1 shutout inning. Winning pitcher Hamilton Bennett(2-0) pitched 2 innings, gave up 2 runs on 3 hits, 2BB, and struck out 4. Josh Edgin pitched the 9th inning, earned his 14th save and lowered his ERA to 0.96.

Savannah 8 Augusta 1

The second game of the three game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Augusta Green Jackets was played in front of 2,181 fans Friday evening at Grayson Stadium. With the 8-1 win, Savannah remains in first place leading 3.5 games over the Greenville Drive. The Sand Gnats used torrid hitting(11 hits) and stellar pitching to win the game.

Augusta led 1-0 going into the bottom of the 4th inning, when Savannah scored 3 runs. Back to back walks to ssRobbie Shields and rfCory Vaughn and a single by 3bAderline Rodriquez scored a run. A sac fly by cBlake Forsythe scored a run. 1bJoe Bonfe doubled to drive in a run. In the 6th inning, Savannah added 5 more runs on 5 hits.

Leading hitters for Savannah. Shields was 2-for- 4 with 2RBI's, a run scored, and a stolen base. lfRaferal Fernandez was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Rodriquez went 2-for-5 with a RBI and 2 runs scored. dhAlbert Cordero was 2-for-4 with a run scored and a RBI. Forsythe was 1-for-3 with 3 RBI's and a run scored.

With the win, starting Sand Gnat pitcher Greg Peavey improved his record to 6-2. Peavey pitched 6 innings allowing 1 run on 4 hits and struck out 6. Adam Kolarek pitched 2 shutout innings, gave up 2 hits, walked 1 and struck out 1. Gabriel Zavala pitched the 9th inning walked 1 and struck out 1.

Savannah 5 Augusta 3

The first game of the three game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Augusta Greenjackets was played in front of 2,810 fans Thursday evening at Grayson Stadium.

The first place Sand Gnats, down by 3 runs going into the bottom of the 7th inning, scored 5 runs.1bSam Honeck walked, followed by singles by ssWilfredo Tovar and 2bLuis Nieves to load the bases. cfDarrell Ceciliani singled to score Honeck. Tovar scored on a hit by dhRobbie Shields. A wild pitch allowed Nieves to score from third. A single by 3bAderline Rodriquez scored two runs.

Savannah had 12 hits for the game. Ceciliani was 3-for-5 with a RBI and a run scored. Shields was 1-for2 with a run scored. A. Rodriquez was 2-for 4 with 2 RBI's. Tovar was 3-for4 with a run scored and a stolen base.

Starting Sand Gnat pitcher Gonzales Germen went 6 innings, allowed 3 runs on 8 hits, and struck out 8. Angel Cuan not allow a hit pitching 2 shutout innings, walked 1 and struck out 1. Josh Edgin earned his 13th save pitching the 9th inning and he struck out 2. With the win Cuan is now 5-1.

Intimidators 6 Sand Gnats 2

The final game of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Kannapolis Intimidators was played in front of 1,894 fans at Grayson Stadium Saturday evening. Kannapolis won the game 6-2 to even the series at 2-2. Savannah remains in first place in the SAL Southern Division.

The Gnats scored in the first inning. cfDarrell Ceciliani singled and scored on a triple by lfRaferal Fernandez. In the 5th inning, Savanah scored their final run. ssWilfredo Tovar and 2bLuis Nieves singled. Ceciliani was hit by a pitch to load the bases. dhRobbie Shields hit a sac fly to score Tovar.

Savannah had 8 hits for the game. Nieves was 2-for-3 with a double. Ceciliani was 1-for-3 with a run scored. 3bAderline Rorriquez was 2-for-4 with a double.

Starting Savannah pitcher, Gonzales Germen(L,4-2) pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowed 5 runs on 7 hits, struck out 5, and walked 1. Gabriel Zavala went 2 1/3 innings, gave up 1 run on 1 hit, walked 4, and struck out 2.

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Savannah 3 Kannapolis 1

The third game of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Kannapolis Intimidators was played Friday evening in front of 1,829 fans at Grayson Stadium. Savannah made good use of their three hits along with 2 wild pitches from starting Kannapolis pitcher to win the game, 3-1. The Gnats are in first place and have a 4 1/2 game lead in the SAL Southern Division.

Savannah scored their first run in the 1st inning. cfDarrell Ceciliani was hit by a pitch, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error. A single by rfCory Vaughn scored Ceciliani. In the second inning Savannah scored 2 runs. 2bWilfredo Tovar walked and scored on a single by Ceciliani who scored from 3rd base on a wild pitch.

For the game Savannah had 3 hits. Ceciliani was 1-for-2 with 2 runs scored. Vaughn was 1-for-4 with a RBI. Tovar was 1-for2 with a run scored.

A stellar pitching performance by Gnat starting pitcher, Chase Huchingson who pitched 5 shutout innings, allowed only 1 hit, 2BB, and struck out 7. Adam Kolarek walked 2 and struck out 2 in one inning pitched. Hamilton Bennett pitched 3 innings, allowed 1 run, on 3 hits, 1 BB, and struck out 4. Bennett earned his third save of the season.

Kannapolis 7 Savannah 4

The second game of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Kannapolis Intimidators was played Thursday evening in front of 1,922 fans at Grayson Stadium. Savannah out hit the Intimidators 11-9, but lost the game 7-4.

Down 5-0 going into the 6th inning, Savannah scored 4 runs. ssRobbie Shields singled and scored on a triple by rfCory Vaughn, who scored on an error on a groundout. dhRaferal Fernandez reached first on a fielders choice and scored on a triple by Blake Forsythe. 1bSam Honeck singled to score Forsythe.

Leading hitters for Savannah:Fernandez was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Honeck was 2-for-4 with a RBI. Shields was 2-for-5 with a run scored. Vaughn went 2-for-5 with a RBI and a run scored.

Starting Savannah Sand pitcher, Yohan Almonte was brilliant tossing a perfect game for three innings, struck out 3. Ryan Frazer(L, 2-4) pitched 2 1/3 innings and gave up 5 runs. Todd Weldon went 2 1/3 innings and allowed 2 runs. Adam Kolarek struck out 3 in 1 1/3 innings pitched.

Savannah 5 Kannapolis 3

The first game of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Kannapolis Intimidators(Chicago White Sox) was played in front of 862 fans Wednesday evening at Grayson Syadium.

Savannah continued their hot hitting with 8 hits and won the game 5-3.

Kannapolis scored a run in the 1st inning, scored their second run on a home run in the 6th by 1bDan Black, and scored their final run in the 8th inning.

Savannnah scored 4 runs in the 2nd inning. 1bSam Honeck doubled and back to back walks to cPatrick Farrell and ssLuis Nieves loaded the bases. A single by dhAlonso Harris along with a throwing error, scored Farrell and Nieves. A double by cfDarrell Ceciliani scored Nieves and Harris.

The Gnats had 8 hits for the game. Honeck was 2-for-3 with 2doubles, 1 RBI, and a run scored. Harris was 2-for-3 with a RBI and a run scored.

Starting Sand Gnat pitcher,Taylor Whitenton,(W, 3-1), pitched 5 innings, allowed 1 run on 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 6. Angel Cuan went 2 1/3 innings, gave up 2 runs on 5 hits and struck out 2. Josh Edgin pitched 1 2/3 innings, struck out 3 and earned his 10th save of the season.

Savannah 1 Charleston 0

The final game of the three game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Charleston RiverDogs was played Tuesday evening in front of 1,050 fans at Grayson Stadium. Savannah had 9 hits and prominent pitching shut out the RiverDogs for a 1-0 win, and a sweep of the series.

Savannah scored in the 4th inning when 2bRobbie Shields led off the inning with a double and scored on a single by rfCory Vaughn.

Shields was 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored. cAlbert Cordero was 2-for-3 with a double. lfRafael Fernandez was 2-for-4 with a double and a stolen base.

Starting Savannah pitcher, Greg Peavey, (W,5-2) pitched 6 shutout innings, walked 1, gave up 3 hits and struck out 7. Gabriel Zavala worked 2 innings, walked 2 and struck out 2. Josh Edgin, who earned his 9th save, pitched the 9th inning and walked 1, and struck out 1.