Savannah 5, Augusta 0

Behind a brilliant pitching performance, the Savannah Sand Gnats blanked the Augusta GreenJackets 5-0 Friday night at Historic Grayson Stadium to sweep the best-of-three Southern Division Championship Series two games to none. Savannah outscored Augusta 15-2 in the two games.

Savannah pitchers recorded 19 strikeouts against just one walk in the two-game sweep.

Starter Steven Matz faced one over the minimum in his seven innings in which he retired 21 of the 22 batters he faced. He threw first pitch strikes to 18 of 22 opposing hitters, struck out eight and did not issue a walk. Paul Sewaldworked around an infield single in the eighth and Beck Wheeler retired the side in order in the ninth.

The Gnats took a 1-0 lead in the third inning when Eudy Pina tripled and scored when Maikis De La Cruz hit into a fielder’s choice.

Savannah broke the game open with a three run third inning. With two outs and the bases loaded, centerfielderBrandon Nimmo drilled a triple up the right-centerfield gap to score three runs to put Savannah ahead 4-0.

Nimmo was 2-for-3 and 4-for-7 with four RBI in the series. Pina, who was 2-for-3, reached base three times for the second straight game from the leadoff spot.

In the seventh, De La Cruz’s triple to left-center scored Pina for a 5-0 lead.

Four of the Gnats’ seven hits Friday went for extra-bases, including three triples.

The Gnats will begin the South Atlantic League Championship Series at the home of the Northern Division Champion Monday night. Game two will be Tuesday. After an off-day Wednesday, the series will shift to Savannah for Game three on Thursday. If necessary, games four and five will be Friday and Saturday nights in Savannah.

Key Stats

Eudy Pina: 2-for-3, 1 3B, 3 R

Brandon Nimmo: 2-for-3, 1 3B, 3 RBI

Maikis De La Cruz: 1-for-4, 1 3B, 2 RBI

Steven Matz: 7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 0 ER, 8 K

Paul Sewald: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 0 ER, 1 K

Beck Wheeler: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 K

(Team Report)