Savannah Sweeps 'Dads in Doubleheader
Published on August 3, 2014 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
Savannah, GA - A hot-hitting Hickory Crawdads offense was held in check Saturday night as the 'Dads were swept in their doubleheader against the Savannah Sand Gnats, losing game one 5-2 before dropping the nightcap 8-0 at Historic Grayson Stadium.
The Crawdads bats entered Saturday evening's twin bill averaging more than eight runs and 10 hits a game during the team's 5-game winning streak, but the league-leading Savannah pitching staff held the Hickory hitters to five total runs on 13 combined hits, one extra-base hit, over 13 innings. The Sand Gnats offense meanwhile utilized two big innings to come away with the pair of wins, as the 'Gnats plated all five of their runs in the 4th inning of game one before scoring four tallies in the 2nd fame of game two.
Hickory jumped out to an initial lead in the first game when Ronald Guzman drove in Kellin Deglan on a RBI single in the 2nd for a 1-0 advantage. The lead held all the way until the bottom of the 4th, when Savannah broke out for five runs on four hits, two walks, and an error off of Crawdads starter David Ledbetter to overtake the 'Dads 5-1.
The Crawdads got back on the board in the 5th when Michael De Leon singled and eventually scored on a passed ball to cut the score to 5-2. The club attempted one last rally in the 6th when Ryan Cordell doubled and Janluis Castro walked to bring the tying run to the plate with two outs, but Sand Gnats closer Akeel Morris got De Leon to ground out to first to end the frame before tossing a perfect 7th to end the game.
'Gnats starting pitcher Ricky Knapp (5-6) earned the win after holding Hickory to two runs, one earned, on six hits, two walks, and six strikeouts over 5.1 innings pitched. Ledbetter (4-5) took the loss after giving up five runs on five hits, three walks, and five strikeouts during his 3.1 frames on the mound. Morris picked up his 11th save of the season with 1.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen.
Game two saw the 'Gnats take an early lead and never look back, as Savannah got to Crawdads starting pitcher Anyelo Leclerc in the 2nd for four runs on three hits, two walks, and an error for a 4-0 score. The 'Dads turned to the bullpen only to have the Sand Gnats score three runs on four hits and a free pass off of reliever Cole Wiper in the 4th for a 7-0 advantage.
Savannah capped the scoring with the help off three more walks and a RBI groundout off of a third Crawdads reliever in Scott Williams in the 5th for the final 8-0 score.
The 'Dads offense was held to six singles in the nightcap defeat, with Nomar Mazara going 2-3 to finish the evening 3-6 with a walk. Two other Hickory hitters ended the two-game night with more than one hit, including Ronald Guzman (2-5, BB) and De Leon (2-7, R).
Sand Gnats starter Robert Gsellman (9-5) finished with his fourth complete game of the season en route to earning the win, as the right-hander shutout Hickory on six hits, one walk, and five strikeouts. Leclerc (2-3) took the loss while making the spot start after giving up four runs, three earned, on three hits, three walks, and three Ks during his 2.1 IP.
The Crawdads (24-18) will still aim for the four-game series split with the Sand Gnats (25-16) in Sunday afternoon's finale scheduled for 2:05 pm.
South Atlantic League Stories from August 3, 2014
- Ocasio Reaches Milestone in 8-3 Win over Lakewood - Asheville Tourists
- Legends Blank Power, 3-0 - Lexington Legends
- Asheville Blows Open 3-3 Game with 5-Run 7th in Win - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Suns Split Four-Game Series with Charleston - Hagerstown Suns
- RiverDogs Win Finale Behind Quality Start from Davis - Charleston RiverDogs
- Kannapolis Routs Augusta with 10 Early Runs - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Braves Come Back to Defeat Drive, 4-2 - Greenville Drive
- 'Dads Drop Pitcher's Duel to 'Gnats 1-0 - Hickory Crawdads
- Gant Chases Perfection Sunday in Gnats' 1-0 Win - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Lexington Pitching Shuts down Power - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Game Notes: Kannapolis Intimidators (White Sox) vs. Augusta GreenJackets (Giants) -- August 3, 2014 - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Postponed at Perdue Stadium - Delmarva Shorebirds
- WV Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
- INF Zach Voight Promoted to Winston-Salem - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Savannah Sweeps 'Dads in Doubleheader - Hickory Crawdads
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.
