Instant Classic Produces Incredible Ending; Tourists Beat Gnats 8-7
Published on July 18, 2014 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Asheville Tourists News Release
Asheville, NC-- Down two runs with two outs and the bases empty in the bottom of the 14th inning, the Asheville Tourists somehow, someway mounted a mesmerizing rally that vaulted them to an 8-7 epic victory over the Savannah Sand Gnats.
Michael Benjamin began the two-out flurry by hitting a groundball to short. Yeixon Ruiz had trouble fielding the ball and could not fire off a throw to first base. The error opened the door just slightly for the Tourists who trailed 7-5 at the time. Raimel Tapia came to the plate and looped a single into left field. Ryan McMahon then lined an RBI single into left off Paul Paez to make it a 7-6 game.
That set the stage for Correlle Prime. Asheville's first baseman worked a full count before driving one into the right-centerfield gap. Both runners were running on the pitch. Tapia scored easily from second and McMahon raced around the bases to slide into home plate just ahead of the relay. Prime's walk-off double completed the Tourists comeback and it all occurred with only an out to spare.
Savannah took the lead in the top of the 14th on Matt Oberste's two-run Home Run down the left field line; his second homer of the game. Prior to the long ball, both teams had been held without a run since the Sand Gnats rallied back in the sixth.
Oberste's first round-tripper gave the visitors a 1-0 lead but Asheville responded with the next five runs. Ashley Graeter made it 2-1 with a Home Run to right in the bottom of the second. Prime and Max White each had RBI base hits in the third while Benjamin left the yard with a solo blast in the fourth.
The Gnats tied the game with four runs in the sixth. Victor Cruzado connected with a two-run single and Stefan Sabol knotted the score with a two-out RBI double off reliever Carlos Estevez.
Both starters received a no-decision as the bullpens battled back and forth tossing shutout innings one after another. Finally the Gnats broke through in the top of the 14th, but the Tourists had an answer and completed the three-game sweep. The Tourists take on the Drive tomorrow night in Greenville at 7:05pm.
South Atlantic League Stories from July 18, 2014
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- Shorebirds Game Notes vs. Hagerstown - Delmarva Shorebirds
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- Instant Classic Produces Incredible Ending; Tourists Beat Gnats 8-7 - Asheville Tourists
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