Gant's Flirt with No-No Earns League Weekly Honors
Published on July 21, 2014 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
Savannah, Ga.- Just one day after John Gant twirled a one-hit shutout over the Lexington Legends, the South Atlantic League has named the Savannah Sand Gnats righthander Pitcher of the Week.
Gant, the New York Mets' 12th rounder in 2011, was five outs from a no-hitter in game one of Sunday's doubleheader against Lexington. The Gnats (19-11/63-33) went on to sweep the doubleheader, winning the opener 5-0 and the backend 3-1.
Gant was terrific in game one, working his second seven-inning complete game shutout of 2014. He allowed one hit and one walk while striking out eight to earn his 10th win of the season. He took the no-hitter into the sixth, when with one out, Lexington second baseman Carlos Garcia rolled a single through the right side of the infield, the only hit Gant allowed all day. He was trying to throw the first no-hitter by the Savannah franchise since 1989.
Although the no-hit bid had ended, Gant was focused on finishing the game and getting another win for the Gnats. "Everything happens for a reason," Gant told MLB.com of Garcia's base hit. "It would've been great, but it's just not a real no-hitter, I don't think. All I was focused on was getting the next two batters out, and that was it."
Gant's first full season of professional ball has been stellar so far. He now sports 10 wins (second in the league) and a solid 2.76 ERA (fourth in the league). " It's just been a lot more fun here. Obviously, the competition is a little better and it's a little more taxing as far as the season goes. But I feel good right now and am enjoying how everything's going," Gant told MLB.com's Sam Dykstra.
Gant was born in Savannah, Ga., and even after moving to Wesley Chapel, Fla., at the age of 11, he spent many summers in Savannah visiting his family and enjoying the low country marsh.
Ross Wilson of the Rome Braves was also named Player of the Week, hitting .500 with two home runs over his five-game span.
South Atlantic League Stories from July 21, 2014
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- 'Birds Miss Opportunities, Lose 3-1 - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Power Walks off Again - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Suns Win Fifth Consecutive Series - Hagerstown Suns
- Monday's Series Finale Postponed by Rain - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Legends Rained out in Savannah - Lexington Legends
- Tourists Shut out Drive, 2-0 - Greenville Drive
- Thomas Drills Four Hits to Defeat GreenJackets - Charleston RiverDogs
- WV Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Shorebirds Game Notes vs. Hagerstown - Delmarva Shorebirds
- BlueClaws, Intimidators Rained out on Monday - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Ross Wilson Named Player of the Week - Rome Emperors
- Intimidators, BlueClaws Rained out Today - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Gant's Flirt with No-No Earns League Weekly Honors - Savannah Sand Gnats
- GreenJackets to Induct Bill Heaton into Hall of Fame - Augusta GreenJackets
- Hoppers Come Back in Moseley's Comeback - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Crabaugh Gives Hickory Trouble with the Curve - Greensboro Grasshoppers
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- Game Notes: Kannapolis Intimidators (White Sox) vs. Lakewood BlueClaws (Phillies) - July 21, 2014 (1 - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
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