Bananas 9 Hi-Toms 3

The first CPL playoff game was played Tuesday evening,August 8th at Grayson Stadium between the Savannah Bananas and the High Point-Thomasville Hi-Toms. Rain and lighting delayed the start of the game for almost 30 minutes. The announced attendance was 2,422.
A big 7th inning rally scoring 5 runs helped Savannah win 9-3.
With 2 outs in the 2nd inning for Savannah, catcher Brandon Purcell(Georgia College) tripled followed by a walk to Utah Jones,ss(UNC). Purcell scored when Jones attempted to steal second, Jones was awarded second base on an interference call
In the Savannah 5th inning, Logan Mattix,cf(Georgia college) singled and went to second on a stolen base. Bryce Fischer,lf(Oklahoma State) doubled to score Mattix.
The Hi-Toms scored their 3 runs in the 6th inning. Leading off the inning, Ike Freeman,ss(UNC)  doubled and scored on a double by Evan Edwards,1b(USC-Lancaster). With the bases loaded, catcher Ryne Stanley(North Carolina A&T) drove in 2 runs with a single.
Trailing 3-2 going into the 7th inning for Savannah, the team sent 9 players to the plate, collected 4 hits and scored 5 runs. The Bananas closed out their scoring in the 8 the inning scoring 2 runs.
Savannah starting pitcher, Bryan Cruse(Memphis) pitched 6 innings, allowed 3 runs on 8 hits and struck out 8 batters. Reliever Elliot Forde was effective pitching in the 8th and 9th innings and striking out 5 batters.
Savannah is a number #1 seed and returns home to play the Gastonia Grizzlies on Friday at Grayson Stadium starting at 7:05pm. The Bananas travel to Gastonia on Thursday to open the best 2 out of 3 series.

                                              Fischer was 3-for-5 with 2RBI's and 2 doubles