Augusta 11, Savannah 4

Easter Sunday wasn’t kind to the Sand Gnats as Savannah fell, 11-4, to the visiting Augusta GreenJackets in the final game of the four-game series. Mike Loree (1-0) pitched well for Augusta and got the win while Robert Carson (0-1) lasted just 2.2 innings and suffered the loss for the Sand Gnats.

Carson surrendered a double to C.J. Ziegler and a single to Josh Mazzola to start the second inning. On Mazzola’s single, left fielder Sean Ratliff had trouble fielding the ball which allowed Ziegler to score the first run of the day. Augusta would never look back as they chased Carson in the third when they batted around and scored five runs.

Savannah had a chance to get back in the game in the bottom half of the third with the score at 7-0. With two down, back-to-back singled by Wilmer Flores and Sean Ratliff loaded the bases for Kai Gronauer. Loree got out of the jam though, inducing a foul out by Gronauer to right field to end the inning.

Eric Campbell homered in a losing effort for the home club. His two-run shot to left field in the bottom of the seventh pulled the Gnats within eight. Flores, Ratliff and Josh Satin each had two hits.

Josh Stinson worked two scoreless innings of relief for the Sand Gnats as did Rhiner Cruz. Jimmy Johnson pitched a perfect ninth inning.