Wedding Bells, Pink Uni's and a Big Win for the Sand Gnats

Grayson Stadium hosted a wedding prior to the Sand Gnats victory of the Greenville Drive.

By: WSAV Staff | WSAV-TV
Published: May 10, 2009

NOW THAT'S A GRAND-SLAM WEDDING... KAREN DIMLER.. AND HER NOW HUSBAND JEREMY GILESPIE... GETTIN' HITCHED AT THE BALLPARK TONIGHT...
NEARLY 50 FRIENDS AND FAMILY ON HAND ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE THE FIRST PITCH..
CONGRATS TO THE HAPPY COUPLE..

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Solid pitching and an early lead helped the Savannah Sand Gnats to a, 6-2, win over the visiting Greenville Drive in the final game of the four-game series. Jeff Kaplan (3-1) worked five innings for his team-leading third win.

The scoring began with the bottom of the lineup in the second inning when Wilmer Flores and Jefry Marte both reached to start the inning. After Jean Luc Blaquiere grounded out, Juan Lagares doubled in the 17-year-old prospects to give Savannah a lead they would never give back.

In the third, a leadoff walk to Eric Campbell and a single by Sean Ratliff set the table for a Josh Satin double to left-center field that brought Campbell around. The double also chased starter Caleb Clay (1-2) from the game after just two innings of work. Sean Ratliff came around later in the inning on a wild pitch by Yeiper Castillo.

Kaplan was good enough tonight, allowing two runs (one earned) in his five innings. He set the tone for the rest of the game as he only walked one batter in those five innings. Josh Stinson and Rhiner Cruz combined for four scoreless innings of relief with no walks and a combined eight strikeouts.

In his return to the lineup, Jordany Valdespin went 2-for-5 form the leadoff spot with a double and an RBI. Ratliff and Lagares also collected two hits apiece for Savannah in the win.

Savannah (16-13) makes the first of its two trips to the state Kentucky on Monday as they start a four-game series with the new Tampa Bay Rays affiliate, the Bowling Green Hot Rods. First pitch from the ballpark in Bowling Green is slated for 7:05 p.m. CT with the lefty Robert Carson (2-2, 2.70) taking the hill for the Gnats.

Fans can listen to all of the action on the road on STAR 1400 AM, your home for Sand Gnats baseball.