SAL1 Augusta GreenJackets

Neal Drives in Four as Augusta Wins

Published on May 29, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Augusta GreenJackets News Release


Savannah, GA - The Augusta GreenJackets (32-21) opened a four game road trip against the Savannah Sand Gnats (22-31) with a 12-6 win on Thursday night. Thomas Neal connected for a two run homer and drove in four runs to lead the offense while Garrett Baker and Shane Jordan each had two RBIs as well.

Augusta jumped out to an 8-0 lead after five innings to put the game out of reach. The GreenJackets got single runs in the first inning and third inning to take a 2-0 lead. Baker had an RBI single in the first innings then in the third innings Jackson Williams was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in a run.

The GreenJackets plated three runs in the fourth inning with two outs on an RBI double from Baker then Neal followed with a two run homer for a 5-0 lead.

Augusta made it 8-0 in the fifth inning when Jordan connected for a two-run double down the right-field line and Neal came through with an RBI single.

Oliver Odle (4-3) recorded the win in relief working the final five innings. The right-hander allowed two runs on four hits while not walking a batter and striking out two.

The Sand Gnats broke up the shutout in the bottom of the fifth inning and chased starter Steven Calicutt from the game with four runs on five hits. Carlos Guzman and Jake Eigsti connected for back-to-back doubles to lead off the frame and score the first run. Matt Bouchard followed with a single then Greg Veloz had a two-run triple to case Calicutt.

Calicutt worked four innings and allowed four runs on five hits while walking three and striking out two for the no decision.

Richard Pena singled off of Odle in the fifth inning to drive in the final run of the frame and pull the Sand Gnats to within four.

Augusta got two more runs back in the seventh inning on another RBI single from Neal and an RBI sac-fly from Andrew Davis for a 10-4 lead.

Savannah scored twice more in the bottom of the seventh inning on an RBI single from Veloz and an RBI sac-fly from Casey Craig but that was all the Sand Gnats would get.

The GreenJackets capped off the scoring in the ninth inning with two more runs when Angel Villalona connected for an RBI double then Neal scored on a passed ball.

The GreenJackets and Sand Gnats continue their series on Friday night with Augusta sending lefty Madison Bumgarner (5-2, 2.18) to the mound. Savannah counters with right-hander Elvin Ramirez (5-3, 3.26). First pitch is at 7:00 p.m.

Game Notes:

Augusta improved to 16-7 on the road this season.

The GreenJackets are 20-6 in the month of May

Thomas Neal had a season high four hits (4-for-5) with two runs scored and four RBIs

Garrett Baker had a season high four hits (4-for-6) with three runs scored and two RBIs

Augusta's 16 hits ties a season high and it was the third time this season Augusta had 16 hits in a game.

Check out the Augusta GreenJackets Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 29, 2008


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