Savannah 9, Asheville 2
The final tilt of a three game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Asheville Tourists was played in front of 1,498 fans Wednesday evening at Grayson Stadium. Savannah out hit Ashville 9-8, winning 9-2 last night to take two of three games from the Tourists.
Sand Gnats were able to score two runs in the third inning without a hit, while Asheville answered with two runs in the fourth inning on two singles and two doubles.
Savannah then answered that with four runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. Designated hitter Eudy Pina led off with a triple and scored on a single by third baseman Cole Frenzel. A fielder’s choice and single by Phillip Evans loaded the bases. Maikis De La Cruz did his best clearing job with a triple, plating 3 runs.
Savannah scored three more runs in the seventh inning. Kevin Plawecki and Stefan Sabol both singled and scored on a double by Frenzel. He eventually moved to third and scored on a sac fly off thebat of Phillip Evans.
Matt Koch (won, 5-2) started for Savannah, and had excellent control. He struck out 11 Tourists in six innings of work. That was coupled with no walks, while allowing two runs and scattering seven hits. Julian Hilario relieved Koch, throwing two shutout innings and allowing one hit and a strikeout. Side arm specialist Tyler Vanderheiden entered to close out the game in the ninth, and did so easily with three ground ball outs.
Frenzel paced the Savannah offense last night, going 3-for-5 with two runs scored and three RBIs.
Savannah starts a four game series with the Greenville Drive starting Thursday evening at 7:05 pm at Grayson Stadium.
Key Stats
Maikis De La Cruz: 1-for-4, 1 3B, 1 BB, 3 RBI, 1 R
Kevin Plawecki: 1-for-4, 1 BB, 1 RBI, 1 R
Cole Frenzel: 3-for-5, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R
Matthew Koch: 6.0 IP, 7 H, 0 BB, 2 ER, 11 K
Julian Hilario: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K
Tyler Vanderheiden: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 BB
Koch has a 52:1 K-BB ratio ???
That’s unbelievable and should put him on the prospect radar. Still gives up too many hits, of course. But velocity seems to be there. Any word on the progress of his secondary stuff ?
Hi Dr. Dooby – I live in Cherokee, Iowa and have been following Matt’s progress since his high school days. His secondary stuff is very good. He has a nasty slider and an improving change-up. When he was with the University of Louisville, they had him as a starter initially but moved him to the bullpen last year and it appears that the move was a good thing for Matt as it provided him an opportunity to save his arm while getting ready to be drafted.
I want to see how Matt does in AA ball because he is clearly ready for the jump. So far, his season is reminding me of how Matt Barnes from the Red Sox organization had in his 2012 campaign with his astounding K:BB ratio. I think that Matt could be the #4 for the Mets if they decide to keep him in the rotation and at worst, is going to be a 8th inning / closer for the organization if he keeps it up. Here is his Baseball Reference link:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=koch–001mat
Yea – you guys should be excited. With his mid 90s fastball, a nasty slider and his changeup, don’t be surprised if he is a top 10 prospect for the Mets this coming off-season.