Catfish Open Series in Savannah with Win

Four unearned runs, which count just as much as earned runs, in the fourth inning gave the Columbus Catfish a lead, and they never looked back, beating the Savannah Sand Gnats (Nationals) 8-1.

Down 1-0 going into the fourth inning, the Catfish made the most of a Sand Gnat throwing error and scored four unearned runs. LF Lucas May hit a two-out double, scoring DH Jason Mooneyham, who reached on an error, and 2B Travis Denker who reached on a single. After CF Adam Godwin singled and stole his team-leading 21st base, SS Ivan De Jesus singled in Denker and Godwin to close out the scoring.

In the seventh inning, 3B Russ Mitchell hit his 11th home run, scoring RF Sergio Pedroza who had walked.

In the ninth, the Catfish put two more on the board when C Tony Harper singled in Bridger Hunt, who pinch-ran for Jason Mooneyham, who was hit by a pitch. Lucas May then singled, knocking in Travis Denker who had walked.

Cory Wade picked up his sixth win allowing four hits and a solo homer in seven innings pitched. Marlon Arias pitched two perfect innings to seal the win.

The win jumps the Catfish from 5th to 3rd place, a game behind second-place Greenville. The second game of the series is Thursday night in Savannah.