SHOREBIRDS TOP SAND GNATS 5-4 ON 11TH INNING SINGLE

SALISBURY, Md. – Delmarva shortstop Garabez Rosa hit a bloop single to shallow right field, scoring Tyler Kolodny from third as the Shorebirds topped the Savannah Sand Gnats, 5-4, in 11 innings at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium Thursday.

Kolodny got on with an error to begin the 11th and was sacrificed to second with a bunt by T.J. Baxter. After a groundout to short held Kolodny, Garabez’s base hit won it for the Shorebirds.

Delmarva improved to 15-12 with the win, its third of the season in extra innings, while Savannah dropped to 18-10 with the loss.

Steve Bumbry led the ‘Birds 10-hit offense, going 3-for-5 with a triple and a run, while Kolody was 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Wilmer Flores had two hits, including a home run for the Sand Gnats.

Nicholas Haughian (3-0) got the win in relief, pitching the top of the 11th inning and working around a pair of singles.



The Sand Gnats tied the game, 4-4 in the top of the eighth off righty Brent Allar. Flores doubled and moved to third on Marte’s single through the left side and with one out Dock Doyle grounded to Allar on the mound, who was unable to turn the inning-ending double play as Flores pulled Savannah even.

Delmarva took a 4-3 advantage into the sixth inning. Rosa lined a double to left to leadoff. Mike Mooney then singled up the middle for first and third and no outs when Ty Kelly ripped another two-bagger to the gap in right-center field to put the Shorebirds on the scoreboard. After a Brian Conley groundout, Mikey Planeta hit an RBI grounder to short which cut the deficit to 3-2.

Kolodny put the ‘Birds on top with the third double of the inning to the wall in left, scoring Ty Kelly and Bumbry to send Savannah starter Collin McHugh to the showers for Erik Turgeon.

After facing the minimum nine batters through three innings, Delmarva starter Jake Cowan allowed Savannah to tally three runs in the top of the fourth frame. Juan Lagares doubled in front of Steve Bumbry in center with one out before Wilmer Flores deposited a 1-1 pitch over the left-field fence for his first home run of the season and a 2-0 lead.

Jefry Marte and Kai Gronaur then reached on a walk and base hit prior to Cowan committing a pair of errors on a weak groundball, allowing Marte to lengthen the lead with an unearned run.

Bumbry lashed a leadoff triple to right center in the bottom of the eighth but Savannah escaped danger as the defense stiffened, setting the Shorebirds down on three consecutive groundouts and the teams played a scoreless ninth to send it into extras.

The Shorebirds host the Charleston Riverdogs in a four-game series, starting Friday at 7:05 p.m. For tickets and information, contact the Shorebirds’ box office at (410) 219-3112. On the mound will be right-hander Matt Hobgood (2-1, 3.90 ERA). Charleston counters with righty Jose Ramirez (1-1, 1.84).