Sand Gnats Defeat Intimidators In 13 Innings
May 25, 2010 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
SAVANNAH, GA - After waiting nearly 24 hours, to complete a suspended game in the 13th inning, the Savannah Sand Gnats got their second of two big hits from Jefery Marte, a blooping single to center which landed far enough away from everyone to score the game winning run from second and earn a 3-2 victory for the Sand Gnats.
Zach Piccola (0-1) started the 13th inning and got the first batter to ground out to first before allowing a single to Alonso Harris. With one out Pedro Zapata bunted, but Piccola and Miguel Gonzalez both slipped on the infield allowing both runners to be safe. After a fly out to center, Marte hit the game winner.
The game was delayed by 30 minutes at the beginning of the game due to rain and Mother Nature's prescience was felt throughout the game. In one of the most hotly contested games of the season the Intimidators got on the board first as Miguel Gonzalez sent one screaming down the line in right, going past the right fielder and to the wall. Gonzalez reached third on a triple, the first hit of the game for Kannapolis in the third inning off Jimmy Fuller. Jake Oester then hit a sacrifice fly to center to bring home Gonzalez to open the scoring at 1-0.
Both pitchers were working well in the ballgame as Fuller for the Sand Gnats went six innings, allowing just the one run and Cameron Bayne for the Intimidators was cruising through five, but then Mother Nature's influence began. Bayne got the first out of the sixth inning with a runner on second as the rain began to fall. In the rain, Bayne did not retire a batter. He allowed a walk and then a two-run double to Marte as the Sand Gnats took a 2-1 lead. Another walk and a single to load the bases sent Bayne packing from a tremendous start. The Intimidators summoned JR Ballinger from the bullpen into bases loaded and one out and he allowed a line drive shot down the line, which was snagged by the first baseman Jose Vargas who stepped on first for the inning-ending double play.
Down 2-1 in the top of the seventh the Intimidators tried to make their way back, against Lance Hoge, who went 4.2 innings in relief of Fuller, allowed Trayce Thompson to reach on an error and second and third with just one out for Oester. With the infield back, Oester tried to bunt, but the bunt popped up to the left side. In trying to get back to the base, Thompson collided with the third baseman and was called out by the home plate umpire. However, with Gonzales on second, Oester singled and the game was tied at two.
Ballinger threw 2.2 innings scoreless before Brandon Kloess, back from Winston-Salem, threw another two scoreless. In the 11th inning, Orlando Santos began his two scoreless innings before rain dumped on the field prior to the first pitch of the bottom of the 13th inning. The game was suspended and picked up the next day at 5:30 pm.
South Atlantic League Stories from May 25, 2010
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