Sand Gnats Sneak Past Tourists 3-2 In Series Opener

SAVANNAH, GA-- In a battle between two teams carrying a three-game winning streak into action, the Savannah Sand Gnats dinked and dunked their way to a 3-2 victory over the Asheville Tourists on Thursday night. Savannah managed to find holes in Asheville's defense despite the fact the Sand Gnats were without an extra-base hit all game.

The Tourists took a 1-0 lead in their first trip to the plate. Max White led of the game with a double down the right field line. Omar Carrizales sacrificed White over to third and Shane Hoelscher drove him in with a single back up the middle.

The Sand Gnats countered with two runs in the second inning. Savannah recorded four soft singles off starter Ryan Castellani. The game remained 2-1 until Josh Fuentes clubbed a solo Home Run in the fifth.

In the bottom of the seventh, Patrick Biondi bunted for a base hit with one out. Biondi was awarded second on a balk and promptly stole third. After Jonathan Johnson walked and stole second, James Lomangino induced a pop up off the bat of Luis Guillorme. The ball sailed into shallow left field and was nowhere near deep enough for a sacrifice fly. However, with three Tourists fielders in the area, the ball dropped. Biondi raced home for the go-ahead run.

The Tourists put a runner on base in the eighth and ninth innings but were unable to bring in the tying run. Yoely Bello and Jerad McCrummen both recorded scoreless innings out of Asheville's bullpen.

Game two of the series is scheduled for Friday night at 7:05pm.