Sunday, August 28, 2005

Catfish Doubleheader Split With Savannah

CatfishRHP Steve Nelson's Complete Game Three-Hitter Gives Catfish Doubleheader Split
Fish Fall 8-6 to Savannah in Game 1; Win 3-1 in Second Game

SAVANNAH, GA—RHP Steve Nelson tossed a complete game three-hitter and CF Ryan Carter hit his team-leading 11th HR of the season to give the Columbus Catfish a 3-1 win in the second game of a doubleheader with the Savannah Sand Gnats and a doubleheader split tonight at Grayson Stadium. The Fish lost the first game 8-6 despite a grand slam HR by C Chris Westervelt and two separate rallies before taking the second game 3-1. The Fish trail 2-1 in the series with Savannah and 11-12 in the overall season series. With nine games left to play, the Fish sport a 57-69 overall record with a 29-28 mark in the second half, Savannah is 56-71 and 25-34 in the second half.

The first game of the doubleheader was a seesaw affair. With Savannah leading 1-0 on a 1B Rich Lane homer, the Catfish stormed back with four in the fourth inning on one swing of the bat. C Chris Westervelt hit a grand slam to left to give the Fish a 4-1 cushion. Savannah answered quickly against RHP Nate Hochgesang, the Catfish starter, who allowed four Sand Gnat runs to score in the fourth as Savannah took a 5-4 lead. In the fifth inning, 2B David Nicholson homered to tie the game, and 1B Dan Batz's RBI single put the Fish back on top 6-5. With RHP Blake Johnson on in relief for Columbus, Savannah scored two runs to earn the lead back, eventually holding on to the victory by an 8-6 margin.

CF Ryan Carter broke a scoreless pitcher's duel in the second game between Catfish RHP Steve Nelson and Savannah RHP David Trahan with a three-run HR over the left-field wall. It was all the offense the Fish got and needed behind Nelson, who allowed just a Devin Ivany RBI double in the seventh inning for a complete-game three hitter in the victory. Nelson retired the side in order four times during the game and gave up just two singles, a double, a walk, and a hit-batsman. Tomorrow the Catfish play their final road game of the season when LHP Scott Elbert (8-5, 2.72 ERA) takes on Savannah RHP Collin Balester at 2:05 PM at Grayson Stadium.

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