Hickory 9, Savannah 2
Game two of the three game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Hickory Crawdads was played in front of 892 fans Tuesday evening at Grayson Stadium.
Joey Gallo of Hickory was the offensive star, driving in seven runs. He did that with two home runs. Gallo hit a grand slam in the seventh, and a three-run bomb in the ninth, both of which went over the right field fence. His performance provided the difference in the ballgame, as the Crawdads took the game, 9-2.
The scoring started for Hickory in the third inning, with a sacrifice fly from first baseman Ronald Guzman. Savannah answered in the bottom of the inning with their first run, as well. Catcher Albert Cordero and Phillip Evans got things started with back-to-back walks. A double steal put both runners in scoring position, and Cordero scored on an RBI single from Brandon Nimmo.
In the third inning, 1bRonald Guzman hit a sac fly to left field to score the first run for Hickory.
The Crawdads re-took the lead in the top of the fourth with a solo home run from center fielder Lewis Brinson. The score stayed like that until Gallo went off with his two-homer performance.
In the ninth inning, Savannah scored when Eudy Piña walked, advanced to second on a ground out, and scored on a single by Cordero.
Gabriel Ynoa lost his first game since April. He threw 6.2 innings and gave up four runs on seven hits, two walks, and six strikeouts. Julian Hilario relieved him and threw 1.1 innings of his own, allowing two runs, three hits, and one walk, while striking out one.
Wanel Mesa pitched the ninth inning, allowing three runs on two hits, one walk, and two strikeouts.
The Sand Gnats will try to salvage the series finale tonight at 6:05pm in front of the home crowd at Grayson Stadium.
Key Stats
Chad Zurcher: 2-for-4
Brandon Nimmo: 1-for-4, 1 RBI
Stefan Sabol: 1-for-4, 1 2B
Albert Cordero: 1-for-3, 1 BB, 1 RBI, 1 R
Gabriel Ynoa: 6.2 IP, 7 H, 1 HR, 2 BB, 4 ER, 6 K
Julian Hilario: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 1 HR, 1 BB, 2 ER, 1 K, 2-2 inherited runners scored
Wanel Mesa: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 HR, 1 BB, 3 ER, 2 K