The Savannah Sand Gnats and the Hickory Crawdads played a double header on Saturday at Grayson Stadium.

Savannah won both games by scores of 5-2 and 8-0.

In game one, Hickory scored a run in the 2nd inning. Catcher Kellin Deglan walked, followed by a single from second basemen Travis Demeritte. Ronald Guzman then singled to score Deglan. Hickory added their final run in the 5th inning.

Savannah scored 5 runs in the 4th inning. Outfielder Victor Cruzado singled and went to second on a single by Patrick Biondi. While Biondi was attempting to steal second base, a throwing error by the catcher allowed Cruzado to score. Jonathan Johnson followed with a walked.  A sacrifice bunt by shortstop Yeixon  Ruiz then drove in Biondi. Champ Stuart also walked. After Johnson scored on a groundout, Matt Oberste would drive in a pair with a single.

Savannah starting pitcher Ricky Knapp pitched 5.1 innings, allowed two runs on six hits, walked three and struck out six. With the win he improved to 5-6. Reliever Akeel Morris earned his 11th save, pitching 1.2 innings, allowing  no runs and no hits. He walked one and struck out one.

In the second game Savannah starter Robert Gsellman pitched a complete-game, seven-inning shutout. He allowed six hits, a walk and 5 strikeouts. He lowered his ERA to 2.45 and improved his record to 9-5 on the season.

In the 2nd inning, Savannah scored four times. Cruzado walked and went to third when Jon Leroux reached on a fielding error by the right fielder. Jorge Rivero then walked to load the bases. A double by catcher Colton Plaia would plate three runs. Plaia scored on a single by Ruiz. The Sand Gnats scored three runs in the fourth inning and added their final run in the fifth.

Leading hitter for Savannah Saturday, Ruiz was 3-for-7with 2 runs scored and 3 RBI’s.

Game four of the series starts at 2:05 pm Sunday at Grayson Stadium.