Augusta 3 - Savannah 1

Savannah, GA – Opportunities abounded, but the Sand Gnats fell to the GreenJackets 3-1 in extra innings on Sunday afternoon at Grayson Stadium. Savannah starter, RHP Luis Cessa provided six and two-thirds of quality innings, striking out seven and allowing just one earned run, while surrendering seven hits.

Augusta's starter RHP Joe Schumer, did his best Luis Cessa impression pitching five scoreless, allowing six hits himself. Hoping to keep Savannah's hitters at bay, RHP Brandon Farley pitched three innings in relief, but allowed the tying run to cross the plate when C Kevin Plawecki scored 2B Yucarybert De La Cruz on a line drive single to center field in the bottom of the eighth inning.

After another scoreless inning of work from RHP Bret Mitchell in the top of the ninth, fans at Grayson Stadium hoped for another dramatic comeback. Augusta's LHP Mason McVay hit 3B Cole Frenzel with a pitch, who was then removed in favor of pinch runnerEudy Pina. After a walk to LF Stefan Sabol, Augusta turned to closer RHP Tyler Mizenko to finish off the inning.

Mizenko proceeded to load the bases on a single to 1B Nelfi Zapata. Both SS Phillip Evans and 2B Yucarybert De La Cruzcould not produced the game winning RBI, and instead forced runners out at home in each plate appearance. Mizenko forced CFMaiki De La Cruz to ground out to end the ninth.

RHP Hunter Carnavale was tasked with holding the tie but surrendered the go-ahead run knocked in by a 1B Joseph Rapp single in the top of the twelfth inning. Augusta would add one insurance run via a 2B Trevor Brown single.

Augusta RHP Derek Law, then closed out the twelfth, earning his third save of the season, finishing off the Gnats by a score of 3-1, avoiding the dreaded sweep.

With 10 hits and runners in scoring position all night long, the Sand Gnats had several chances to put the GreenJackets away. Offensive highlights included DH Jayce Boyd going three for five with a walk improving his on base percentage to .430, good for third highest in the South Atlantic League. 

RHP Hunter Carnavale was tagged with his first loss on the season, while RHP Bret Mitchell , who now sports a 1.17 ERA, pitched another scoreless two innings.

The Gnats start an eight game road trip by sending RHP Gabriel Ynoa (5-2, 3.55) to the mound Monday against the Greenville Drive RHP Pat Light (1-3, 8.28). First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 pm at Flour Field in Greenville, SC.