Four Run Second Propels Gnats Past Intimidators 5-3 Wednesday

SAVANNAH, GA - The Savannah Sand Gnats scored four runs in the second inning on their way to defeating the Kannapolis Intimidators 5-3 Wednesday Night at Historic Grayson Stadium. The Gnats (29-23) have now won all four games on their current seven-game home stand and 10 of 11 overall.

Down 1-0, the Gnats took control with a four-run fourth. With two outs and the bases empty, 1B Sam Honeck doubled, and C Patrick Farrell and SS Luis Nieves each walked to load the bases for DH Alonzo Harris. Harris bounced a chopper off home plate for an infield single. Rushing to get the speedy Harris at first, Kannapolis third baseman Juan Silverio flung his throw down the right field line allowing Farrell follow Honeck in scoring on the play. CF Darrell Ceciliani then lined a two-run double into the left-center field gap to score Nieves and Harris to put the Gnats up 4-1.

Savannah starter Taylor Whitenton worked around runners in the fourth and fifth innings to keep the Intimidators to one run. He fanned six and walked one, earning his third win of the year.

The Intimidators (27-24) chipped away against Savannah reliever Angel Cuan. Kannapolis 1B Dan Black homered in the sixth to bring Kannapolis within two at 4-2. In the eighth, CF Trayce Thompson doubled home RF John Spatola making it a one-run game at 4-3. At that point, with the tying run on base, the Gnats called on closer Josh Edgin. Edgin's wild pitch advanced Thompson to third with the tying run with one out, but he kept the Intimidators from evening the score by striking out Black and LF Brady Shoemaker to end the inning. Edgin threw a 1-2-3 ninth to complete his 10th save and second in as many nights.

The Gnats will look to make it five in a row when RHP Yohan Almonte (2-2, 4.05) takes on Kannapolis LHP Spencer Arroyo (2-3, 4.18) Thursday in the second game of the four-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm and gates open at 6 pm. The pre-game show on News/Talk 630 and sandgnats.com begins at 6:50 pm.

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Thursday, June 2: Ladies' Night, Thirsty Thursday & Happy Hour
Ladies Night: Ladies get half-price General Admission tickets!
Thirsty Thursday: Half-price on all small beers and sodas all night long. Presented by Budweiser and I-95.
Happy Hour: $0.50 Natty Lights & $3.00 Captain and Cokes from 6-7 pm on Land Shark Landing presented by Tubby's Thunderbolt.