Asheville Holds on Saturday to Sweep Gnats out of Playoffs
Published on September 6, 2014 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
Savannah, Ga.- After rain paused Friday's game for a little over 18 hours, it took only 21 minutes in the sunshine on Saturday afternoon for the Asheville Tourists to finish off a 2-1 victory over the Savannah Sand Gnats. With the win, the Tourists swept the Gnats two games to none in the Southern Division Championship series and will advance to the SAL Championship Series where they will face the Hagerstown Suns.
The game was suspended in the bottom of the eighth inning, with the Gnats trailing 2-1, with the tying run at second. After play resumed, the Gnats loaded the bases on a walk and a strikeout/wild pitch, but could not get the big hit to even the score in the eighth. Savannah went down in order in the ninth inning.
Friday night, the Gnats took a 1-0 lead with a run in the bottom of the second. Right fielder Victor Cruzado singled, went to third on a single from first baseman Dominic Smith and scored on a sacrifice fly from shortstop Amed Rosario.
The Tourists evened the game at 1-1 on a solo home run from first baseman Corelle Prime in the top of the fourth inning.
Asheville took a 2-1 lead in the top of the eighth inning when centerfielder David Dahl scored on a wild pitch by Savannah reliever Akeel Morris.
Asheville reliever Troy Nieman earned the win for his 1.1 innings of scoreless relief. Savannah reliever Dawrin Frias, who gave up a double to Dahl in the eighth inning, took the loss.
After Savannah leftfielder Michael Conforto doubled with one out in the eighth inning rain halted play at 9:39 pm Friday.
Savannah first baseman Dominic Smith finished the game 3-4.
South Atlantic League Stories from September 6, 2014
- Sweep Is Oh So Sweet: Tourists Headed to the Championship - Asheville Tourists
- Asheville Holds on Saturday to Sweep Gnats out of Playoffs - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Hoppers "Can't Hang Their Heads" After Season Ends - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Unplayable Field Suspends Game Two in the Eighth Inning - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Game Two Suspended in the Bottom of the 8th - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Suns Dispatch Greensboro 6-2, Advance to Championship Series - Hagerstown Suns
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