Savannah 3, Hickory 1

The series finale of the three game set between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Hickory Crawdads was played in front of 3,003  fans Wednesday evening at Grayson Stadium. Savannah out hit Hickory 6-5 and used that to take the game, 3-1.
Hickory scored their only run of the ball game in the first inning. Left fielder Nick Williams singled and scored on a double by Noman Mazara.

Savannah answered in the bottom of the second inning, taking a 2-1 lead. Maikis De La Cruz doubled, advancing to third on a ground out. Third baseman Jeff Reynolds walked before Jeff Glenn reached first on a fielding error by the first baseman, allowing De La Cruz to score. A single by Chad Zurcher plated Reynolds to cap the scoring in the inning.

Sand Gnats provided some insurance in the fifth inning when they scored their final run. Shortstop Phillip Evans doubled, and a sacrifice bunt by Zurcher allowed Evans to score after another error, this one off the catcher’s throw.

Marcos Camarena was stellar last night, allowing only one run on four hits, two walks, and four strikeouts in five innings pitched.

Julian Hilario relieved Camarena by throwing a scoreless inning, followed by two more shutout innings from Paul Sewald, who added three strikeouts.
Beck Wheeler pitched the ninth inning, allowing one hit before nailing down his seventh save of the season. The Gnats will be spending the Fourth of July in Greeneville, as they kick off a series against the Drive.

Key Stats

Marcos Camarena: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 1 ER, 4 K

Julian Hilario: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 1 BB, 0 ER

Paul Sewald: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 K

Beck Wheeler: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 0 ER

Chad Zurcher: 2-for-3

Maikis De La Cruz: 1-for-4, 1 2B, 1 R

Phillip Evans: 2-for-3, 1 2B, 1 R