Gnats Burn Power 8-0 in 2011 Opener
Published on April 7, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
CHARLESTON, WV - The Savannah Sand Gnats cruised to an 8-0 win in Charleston, WV Thursday night to open their 2011 season in front of 4,807 fans at Appalachian Power Park. The Gnats paired a dominant effort on the mound from RHP Greg Peavey in his professional debut with an explosive effort from an offense that scored in each of the first four innings and pounded out 12 hits. Savannah pitching held the Power to just two hits all night.
The Gnats return home to Historic Grayson Stadium for Opening Night on Friday, April 15th.
Led by CF Darrell Ceciliani, the Gnats raced out to a 7-0 lead after four innings by scoring twice in the first inning, three times in the second, and a single run in the third and fourth innings. Ceciliani got the offense going in the top of the first with a leadoff double. After a LF Cory Vaughn walk, 1B Sam Honeck singled into center field to bring home Ceciliani with the season's first run. Vaughn scored later in the inning on an RBI groundout by 3B Aderlin Rodriguez. Honeck finished with a game-high three hits.
In the second inning, after DH Alonzo Harris reached on a one out single, Ceciliani drilled a two-run home run to right center field to stake the Gnats to a 4-0 advantage. SS Robbie Shields followed Ceciliani with a double down the left field line. Vaughn brought home Shields with a single to left field for a 5-0 Savannah lead.
In the third inning, RF Javier Rodriguez gave Savannah a 6-0 advantage with a leadoff home run to left center field. In the fourth inning, with one Vaughn was hit by a pitch and scored on an RBI double from Honeck.
This was more than enough support for Peavey dealt five shutout innings with eight strikeouts. He retired the first 11 batters he faced, while striking out six of those 11. All told he allowed just two hits and a walk and did not allow a runner to third.
RHP Ronny Morla and RHP Gabriel Zavala combined on four perfect innings of relief with four strikeouts.
Savannah's RHP Ryan Fraser takes on LHP Zach Dodson in game two of the four-game series on Friday night. Catch all of the action live on News/Talk 630 WBMQ and streaming on sandgnats.com.
South Atlantic League Stories from April 7, 2011
- Drive Win 12-6 On Opening Day - Greenville Drive
- Gnats Burn Power 8-0 in 2011 Opener - Savannah Sand Gnats
- 'Dads Win 2011 Opener Over Asheville, 4-2 - Hickory Crawdads
- Legends Drop Opener To Charleston, 6-1 - Lexington Legends
- Machado Delivers In Shorebirds Opening Night Win, 2-1 - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Power Open Season With 8-0 Loss - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Missed Chances Lead to Opener Loss - Augusta GreenJackets
- BlueClaws Shutout Kannapolis 2-0 on Opening Day - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- R'Dogs Crash Legends Opening Night Party, 6-1 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Gnats Game Notes: Thursday, April 7 at West Virginia - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Intimidators Season Begins Tonight in Lakewood - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Shorebirds Game Notes: Vs. Greenboro Grasshoppers - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Single Game Tickets on Sale Friday - Hagerstown Suns
- RiverDogs to Start 2011 Home Slate with Nine-Game Homestand - Charleston RiverDogs
- See Former ACC QBs Parker and Wilson Take on the 'Dads All Weekend - Hickory Crawdads
- Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Shorebirds Release 2011 Opening Night Roster - Delmarva Shorebirds
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