Grizzlies Opening Night
May 28, 2017 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Gastonia Grizzlies News Release
The game didn't count in the standings, but the show was in full effect for the Gastonia Grizzlies at Sims Legion Park Saturday night. Gastonia hosted the Savannah Bananas on "opening night," an exhibition game to kick off the 2017 Coastal Plain League season. The Bananas took a 4-3 victory, using eight stolen bases and eight hits to earn the victory. After falling behind 4-1, the Grizzlies scored two in the bottom of the eighth to cut the lead to one run, but couldn't complete the comeback. Both teams brought shorthanded rosters into the contest, as each team waits for many of their players to return from their college programs and fill out the roster. The Grizzlies and Bananas threw 17 pitchers combined. Savannah threw a new arm in each inning, while Gastonia had starter Joe Catalani pitch the first two before rotating in seven more pitchers, as both teams used the opportunity to get all the arms on the roster some work ahead of the beginning of the regular season next week. Savannah will head into the 2017 season as the defending Pettit Cup champions. Last year, the Bananas defeated the Peninsula Pilots in three games, earning an 8-4 victory in the decisive third game. The Grizzlies faded in the back half of the summer to miss the playoffs in 2016, finishing 21-33 with a 9-19 record in the second half.
Player of of the Game: Mike Huggins, Savannah 3B
The Georgia State infielder reached all five times he came to bat for the Bananas. He was 2 for 2 with two stolen bases, including a steal of home. Huggins also walked twice, was hit by a pitch and knocked in a run.
Big Moment: Savannah took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning on a double steal. Huggins scored from third ahead of Gastonia second baseman Matt McGarry's throw home to catcher Andrew Fishel, and the Bananas would never trail for the rest of the game. Next up:
The Grizzlies open the regular season Wednesday, May 31 on the road in Martinsville against the Mustangs. Gastonia will then play two straight against Forest City - Thursday at home and Friday on the road - before hosting the Bananas again Saturday, June 3 with fireworks to follow the game.
The Bananas also have four games next week to open the season. They go to Forest City Tuesday, host Florence and Lexington County on consecutive days Thursday and Friday, then visit Gastonia on Saturday.
Coastal Plain League Stories from May 28, 2017
- Grizzlies Opening Night - Gastonia Grizzlies
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