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 Shieldslaid 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.