Gnats Top 'Dads, 8-4, Before 3,146 Fans at L.P. Frans
Published on May 12, 2012 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
HICKORY, NC - The Savannah Sand Gnats topped the Hickory Crawdads, 8-4, before 3,146 fans at L.P. Frans Stadium on Saturday evening.
The Sand Gnats (22-13) opened the scoring with a big inning in the top of the third, striking for five runs against RHP Jerad Eickhoff (L, 4-3). RF Charley Thurber and C Albert Cordero started the inning by swatting back-to-back solo home runs. Later in the frame with the bases loaded and one out, CF Travis Taijeron and 1B Brian Harrison knocked consecutive RBI singles. The rally was capped by an RBI sacrifice fly from 3B Aderlin Rodriguez, making it 5-0.
Hickory (19-14) started down the comeback trail right away in the bottom of the third against RHP Michael Fulmer (W, 2-2). 1B Jhonny Gomez led off with a walk and took second on a ground out. CF Chris Grayson brought Gomez home with an RBI single to right center and darted to second base on a fielding error by Taijeron. Grayson then moved to third on a ground out, before scoring on a two-out, RBI single from SS Hanser Alberto, cutting the deficit to 5-2.
However, Savannah stretched the lead back out in the top of the fifth frame. With one down and the bases empty, 2B T.J. Rivera doubled his way on, before trotting home on a two-run homer by Taijeron, making it 7-2.
After the Sand Gnats added another run in the top of the seventh, the Crawdads started chipping away in the bottom of the eighth. With one out and the bases clear, Grayson placed a bunt single perfectly to reach base. DH Rougned Odor followed with a single to right field, moving Grayson to second. One out later, LF Jeremy Williams ripped an RBI double inside the left-field line, plating Grayson to cut it to 8-3.
Hickory then attempted a bottom of the ninth comeback against LHP T.J. Chism. RF Zach Cone led off the inning with a double and quickly moved to third on a ground out. Cone then sprinted home on an RBI ground out by Gomez, but that was as close as the 'Dads would get, as Chism closed the 8-4 win for Savannah.
South Atlantic League Stories from May 12, 2012
- Late Homers Give Suns 7-5 Win over Legends - Lexington Legends
- Charleston Powers by West Virginia 16-2 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Braves Succumb to Tourists, 6-2 - Rome Emperors
- Suns Use Long Ball to Beat Legends 7-5 - Hagerstown Suns
- Power lose to RiverDogs - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Owens Masterful in 2-1 Win - Greenville Drive
- Late Rallies Fall Short in 2-1 Setback - Augusta GreenJackets
- Gnats Top 'Dads, 8-4, Before 3,146 Fans at L.P. Frans - Hickory Crawdads
- 'Claws Score Final 4 Runs, Win 5-3 - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Shorebirds Game Notes vs. Kannapolis - Delmarva Shorebirds
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
