Robert Gsellmam: 7 IP, 6 H, 2 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 4 K

Game three of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Rome Braves, was played in front of 2,626 fans Saturday at Grayson Stadium.  Savannah utilized strong pitching and power to defeat Rome 6-2 after a delayed start of over an hour due to rain.

Savannah starter, Robert Gsellman, pitched seven innings allowing two runs (one earned), on six hits, one walk, and four strikeouts. With the win, Gsellman is now 3-3 on the season.  ‘Gnats relievers were superb starting with Akeel Morris who pitched the 8th inning and struck out the side, and Tim Peterson who pitched the ninth and added two strikeouts of his own.

Sand Gnats scored the first run of the game in the first inning when right fielder Patrick Biondi tripled and scored on a ground out.

Rome scored their first run in the sixth inning when left fielder Blake Brown singled and reached second when the ball got away from the right fielder Biondi.  Brown went to third on a ground out and scored on a sac fly scoring the final Rome run in the seventh inning.

Savannah unleashed the power in the bottom of the 7th.  Stefan Sabol tripled to deep center field, slid into third, and scored when the Braves committed an error on the relay throw.  The next batter, Champ Stuart hit a home run over the left field fence.  It was his first as a SandGnat, and second as a professional.

Savannah sent nine batters to the plate in the ninth inning, and scored three more runs.  An infield single with the bases loaded and two outs by Stuart plated two runs.  The final Savannah run was scored on a walk to Biondi  with the bases loaded.

The final game of the series starts at 2:05 pm Sunday at Grayson Stadium.