The final game of the four game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Hickory Crawdads was played Sunday afternoon in front of 902 fans at Grayson Stadium.

Fans saw excellent pitching from both teams and an exciting finish as Savannah scored a run in the 8th inning to edge Hickory 1-0.

Savannah starter, John Gant, was superb, pitching seven shutout innings, allowed only one hit, walked two and struck out eight. The only hit Gant allowed was an infield single in the 7th inning by left fielder, Jairo Beras.

In the 8th inning for Savannah, catcher Colton Plaia led off with a single and was replaced by pinch-runner, Victor Cruzado. Stefan Sabol then moved Cruzado to second with a sacrifice bunt and he moved over to third on a ground out. Champ Stuart singled on a ground ball to the shortstop to score Cruzado.

Reliever Brett Mitchell entered the game for Savannah in the 8th inning and struck out the side. In the 9th, Mitchell gave up a single and recorded an out on a sac bunt and was replaced by Akeel Morris. After walking his first batter, Morris struck out the next two batters to end the game to earn his 12th save of the season.

Getting two hits each for the Sand Gnats,  Jon Leroux was  2-for-3 with a triple and Plaia was 2-for-3.

With the win, Mitchell is (2-0).

Savannah and the Charleston RiverDogs play a four game series. The teams play a double header Monday starting at 5:35pm at Grayson Stadium.