Rough Day For Sand Gnats, Drop Both Games Of Double-Header

Hickory 4, Savannah 3

Sometimes. you have those days where nothing really goes your way… this was probably one of them. The Savannah Sand Gnats had to play two games today, both of the seven-inning MiLB double-header variety, and dropped both of them – but they were close games. Matthew Koch started the earlier game and pitched pretty well, lasting six inning and allowing only three earned runs. He allowed a solo home run in the bottom of the second to Jorge Alfaro and a two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the fifth. All in all, it really wasn’t that bad a start for Koch – his offense just struggled behind him.

Kevin Plawecki grounded in a run in the first, and Savannah looked to rally for Koch in the top of the seventh. Jayce Boyd provided an RBI single, and Hickory shortstop Luis Marte booted a grounder from Kevin Plawecki, which allowed a run to score and the Sand Gnats to tie the game up.

It would all be for naught, however, as friend of MMO Jake Kuebler was victimized by a Phillip Evans two-out error that allowed the winning run to score.

Hickory 5, Savannah 3

The second game saw Luis Cessa struggle through his five innings and get pegged for five earned runs, as he was hurt by the two solo home runs he allowed and the pair of wild pitches that he threw. Cessa left a lot to be desired out there on the mound, as although he did not walk a batter, he allowed eight hits – two of them the aforementioned home runs – over his five innings of work. After the Sand Gnats staked him to a 2-1 heading into the bottom of the second, he allowed three runs to score, and Hickory never looked back from there.

The big bright spot on offense was Cole Frenzel, who jacked a two-run home run that plated Kevin Plawecki. Jayce Boyd drove in Yucary De La Cruz in the top of the third, but Savannah would be unable to muster anything else going forward.