Lexington County Blowfish 3 Savannah Bananas 1

The Savannah Bananas(32-11) played the Lexington County Blowfish(15-27) Friday evening at Grayson Stadium in front of a sold out crowd 4,351.
Lexington outhit Savannah 12-1 and won the game 3-1.
Fans saw an outstanding pitching performance by Lexington starter, Brett Fulk(Lenoir-Rhyne) (W,4-4) who pitched 8 2/3 innings, allowed 1 unearned run on 1 hit, 5 BB and 9 strikeouts. Reliever Colton Rendon (Sv,4) pitched 1/3 inning and recorded a strike out.
The Blowfish scored their first run in the 1st inning. Zachary Spivey,cf(Bethune-Cookman)  led off with a double and advanced to third on a single by CJ Smith,lf(Georgia). Spivey scored on a single by  Chandler Jenkins,RF(East Carolina).
Savannah scored their only run in the first inning. Leading off, Cole Parks,lf(Warner) drew a walk, stole second base and advanced to third when the catchers throw on the stolen base attempt went into center field. Parks scored on a wild pitch.
In the 5th inning for Lexington, a single by Jenkins scored Spivey who singled earlier.
Lexington closed out their scoring in the 6th inning. Chaney Rogers,1b(Georgia) reached first base on an infield single and advanced to second on a ground out. Catcher Tyler Haselman(UCLA) singled to drive in Rogers.
Starting Savannah pitcher, Austin Temple(Jacksonville) (L,2-3) pitched 5 innings, allowed 2 runs on 7 hits, 7 strike outs and 1 BB.
The next Savannah home game is Tuesday(July 31st) against the Macon Bacon at Grayson Stadium.

              Alex Rodriquez doubles in the 7th inning for the Bananas only hit of the game.

Savannah Bananas 4 Macon Bacon 3

The Savannah Bananas(30-11) played the Macon Bacon(20-20)  Wednesday evening at Grayson Stadium in front of a sold out crowd 4,000 plus.
Trailing 3-1 going into the bottom of the 9th inning, Savannah scored 3 runs to win the game 4-3.
The game resumed tonight from the game suspended on July 17th with 2 outs and Macon at bat with runners on first and second and Macon with a run scored on the 17th( Cal Gentry,ss(Georgia College)  singled and scored on a single by Brandon Michie,2b(Mercer). The second run was scored by Michie when he stole third and scored on a throwing error by the catcher.
The Bacon scored a run in the 4th inning.
Savannah scored their first run in the 7th inning. Hunter Wilson,1b,(Arkansas) singled, stole second base and scored on a double by Alex Rodriquez,3b(Kentucky).
Three straight singles in the 9th inning for Savannah loaded the bases. Catcher Bill LeRoy(North Georgia) hit a slow roller down the third base line he beat out for a hit  and RBI and the pitchers errant throw allowed 2 runs to score to end the game.
Starting Savannah pitcher Jordan Merrit pitched 5 innings, allowed 3 runs on 7 hits, 1BB, and 2 strike  outs. Relievers Jason Ruffcorn(Texas A&M) and Elliot Forde(Misericordia) combined to pitch  3 shutout innings and gave up 1 hit. Pitching the 9th inning, Brenton Burgess(Middle Georgia State) ( W,2-0) allowed 1 hit and 3K’s.
The Bananas had 12 hits for the game. Cade Marlowe,dh(West Georgia) was 2-for-6. Justin Dirden,rf(Southeast Missouri State) was 2-for-3 with a run scored.
The Bananas made history as their players wore kilts.
The next Savannah home game is Friday(July 27) against the Lexington County Blowfish at Grayson Stadium.

Cole Parks#12
Brenton Burgess#16
Jake Howard#11

Savannah Bananas 7 Florence RedWolves 6

The Savannah Bananas(29-11) played the Florence RedWolves(18-20) Monday evening at Grayson Stadium in front of a sold out crowd 4,202.
Bananas fans saw a thrilling finish with Savannah scoring 2 runs in the 10th inning to win 7-6.
Scoring the first run of the game for Florence, Bryson Smith,1b(Texas) doubled and scored on a single by Kyle Gensler,2b(Charlotte).
Savannah scored a run in the 4th inning on an RBI single by Cade Marlowe,cf(West Georgia).
A single by Justin Dirden,rf(Southeast Missouri State) in the 7th inning scored a run for the Bananas.
A grand slam home run in the 8th inning by McLendon Sears,ss(College of Charleston) gave Florence a 5-2 lead. It was his second home run of the season.
Savannah answered with a run in their 7th inning on a line drive home run over the left field fence by Garrett Delano,rf(Brown) It was his first home run of the season.
The Bananas scored 2 runs in the 9th inning to tie the game at 5-5. Marlowe scored from third base on a wild pitch and catcher Bill LeRoy drove in a run with a single.
The RedWolves scored a run in the 10th inning to take a 6-5 lead.
Savannah scored 2 runs in the 10th inning to win the game 7-6. LeRoy scored the first run on a wild pitch and  a sac fly by Delano scored the winning run.
The Bananas had 10 hits for the game. Getting 2 hits each: Marlowe, Delano, LeRoy and Clay Dungan,ss(Indiana State).
Starting Savannah pitcher Tyler Follis(Louisiana Tech) pitched 5 1/3 innings allowed 1 run on 3 hits, 4K’s and 3BB. Reliever Brenton Burgess(W,1-0) pitched the last inning and recorded 2 strike outs.
The next Savannah  home game is Wednesday(July 25th) against the Macon Bacon at Grayson Stadium.

                                     Garrett Delano was 2-for-4 with 2 RBI’s and a run scored.

Savannah Bananas 7 Lexington County Blowfish 3

The Savannah Bananas(28-11)  played the Lexington County Blowfish(13-23) Saturday evening at Grayson Stadium in front of a sold out crowd 4,209.
The Bananas out hit the Blowfish 10-9 and won the game 7-3.
Savannah got off to a quick start sending 8 players to the plate in the first inning scoring 3 runs on 4 hits. Hunter Wilson,2d(Arkansas) led off with a single and advanced to third on a double by Clay Dungan,ss(Indiana State).Wilson scored  when Cade Marlowe,cf(West Georgia) singled.   Catcher Bill LeRoy(North Georgia) reached  first base on an error by the third baseman allowed Dungan to score. Alex Rodriquez,3b( Kentucky) singled driving in a run.
The Bananas added a run in the 3rd inning.
Leading off the 6th inning for Savannah, Rodriquez dew a walk, advanced to second on a throwing error by the pitcher, went to third on a fly out, and stole home plate.
Lexington scored their first run in the 7th inning. Channing Painton,3b(Limestone) singled and later scored on a single by Catcher Tyler Haselman(UCLA).
The Bananas scored a run in the 7th inning and a run in the 8th inning.
The Blowfish rallied in the 9th inning with 3 consecutive hits to load the bases and scored 2 runs.
Starting Savannah pitcher Anthony Rodriquez(Maryville College) pitched 5 shutout innings gave up 3 hits, 1BB, and 5K’s.
Leading Bananas hitters: Wilson was 3-for-5 with 1RBI and a run scored. Rodriquez was 2-for-2 with  1 RBI and 2 runs scored. Justin Dirden,rf(Southeast Missouri State was 2-for-4 with 1RBI.
Savannah utilized their speed stealing 7 bases(Marlowe swiped 3 bases).
The next Savannah home game is Monday(July 23rd) against the Florence RedWolves at Grayson Stadium.

                                                                     Alex Rodriquez

Savannah Bananas 4 Florence RedWolves 1

The Savannah Bananas played the Florence RedWolves Thursday evening at Grayson Stadium in front of a sold out crowd 4,057.
Making the best of their 2 hits, Savannah won the game 4-1 after 6 innings of play which was stopped because of the rain. Their were three rain delays.
The first inning for Savannah, Clay Dungan,ss(Indiana State) singled and advanced to second base on a wild pitch. When the pitcher attempted to pick off the runner, the errant throw allowed Dungan to score from second base.
Savannah scored a run in the 2nd inning. A sac fly by Connor Basler,2b(Southeast Missouri State) allowed Alex  Rodriquez,3b(Kentucky) to score from third.
Florence scored their run in the 4th inning. Leading off the inning, McLendon Sears,ss(College of Charleston) was hit by a pitch and would later score on a single by Joe Simone,rf(Rider).
The Bananas closed out their scoring in the 5th inning. A sac fly by Hunter Wilson,1b(Arkansas) scored the first run. Basler scored from third on a wild pitch.
Starting pitcher for Savannah, Peyton Fuller(Oregon) (W,1-0) pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowed 1 run on 6 hits,2BB, and 4K’s. Reliever Jason Ruffcorn(Texas A&M) pitched 1 2/3 innings, recorder 1 K and earned his first save of the season.
The next home game for Savannah is agains the Lexington County Blowfish Saturday (July 21st) at Grayson Stadium.

                                                                         Peyton Fuller

Savannah Bananas 5 Lexington County Blowfish 1

The Savannah Bananas(23-10) played the Lexington County Blowfish(11-20) Friday evening at Grayson Stadium in front of a sold out crowd 4,177. (51’st straight sellout).
Savannah won 5 to 1 with strong pitching allowing the Blowfish 1 run on 3 hits.
Lexington scored their run in the 2nd inning when Carson McCurdy,1b(Mount Olive) tripled and scored when catcher Christian Hamel(Shepherd) reached base on an error by the second baseman.
Leading off the 2nd inning for Savannah, Jake Sullivan,dh(South Florida) singled, advanced to  second on a wild pitch and scored on base hit by catcher Bill LeRoy(North Georgia).
The Bananas scored a run in the 4th inning when the lead off hitter Cade Marlowe,lf(West Georgia) walked,stole second base, reached third on a throwing error by the pitcher  and scored on a wild pitch.
Savannah scored 2 runs in the 6th inning and scored their final run in the 8th inning when Marlowe singled, advanced to third on a 2 base wild pitch,  scored on a sac fly.
Starting Savannah pitcher, Austin Temple(Jacksonville) pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowed 1 run on 3 hits, 2BB and had 3 strike outs.
Bananas relievers: Jordan Merrit(Citadel) pitched 2 1/3 innings recorded  1BBand 2K’s. Tyler Follis(Louisiana Tech) pitched 1 inning and struck out 2 batters. Closer Hunter Phillips pitched the 9th inning and posted a strike out.

The Bananas had 6 hits for the game. LeRoy was 2-for-4. Marlowe and Sullivan each scored 2 runs.
The next Savannah home game is Tuesday(July 17th) against the Macon Bacon at Grayson Stadium.

                                                                     Austin Temple

Savannah Bananas 8 Macon Bacon 5

The Savannah Bananas(21-10) played the Macon Bacon(16-14) Wednesday evening at Grayson Stadium in front of a sold out crowd 4,341-(it was announced it was the 50th straight sellout).
Savannah made good use of their 11 hits to win the game 8-5.
Macon scored a run in the first inning. Alex  Canty,2b(Southeast Missouri State) doubled and later scored from third base on a single by Kenton Crawford,3b(Southern Illinois).
With the bases loaded for Savannah in the 3rd inning, 2 runs scored on a single by Hunter Wilson,3b(Arkansas).
In the 5th inning Macon scored a run. Keaton Weisz,ss(Coastal Carolina) singled, went to second on a ground out, stole 3rd base and scored when Riley King,3b(Georgia) reached first base on a throwing error by the shortstop.
The Bananas scored a run in their 5th inning. Cade Marlowe,lf(West Georgia) walked, stole second, advanced to third on a balk, and scored on a single by Jake Sullivan,1b(South Florida)
Three runs were scored by the Bananas in the 6th inning highlited by a 2 run double by Marlowe.
The Bananas closed out their scoring with 2 runs in the 7th inning.
Jackson Jones,dh(Young Harris College)  hit a 2 run home run over the right field fence in the Macon 8th inning. It was the second home run of the season for Jones. The final Macon run scored in the 9th inning.
Starting Savannah pitcher, Brayden Beldon(W,3-2) (Oklahoma State) pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowed 2 runs on 7 hits, struck out 5 and 2 BB.
Macon had 13 hits for the game and having an outstanding night at the plate, Crawford was 5-for-5 with 1RBI and  2 runs scored.
Getting 2 hits each for Savannah, Sullivan, Wilson, and Garrett Delano,rf(Brown).
The next Savannah home game is Friday(July 13th) against the Lexington County Blowfish.

                                                  Jake Sullivan was 2-for-2 with 2 RBI’s

Macon Bacon 8 Savannah Bananas 0

The Savannah Bananas(21-9) played the Macon Bacon(15-14) Saturday evening at Grayson Stadium in front of a sold out crowd 4,269.
Six extra  base hits propelled the Bacon to a 8-0 win. Three Macon doubles plated 5 runs.
In the first inning for Macon, Cal Gentry,2b(Georgia College) tripled and scored on a sac fly by Riley King,3b(Georgia).
A double by Zach Weisz,CF(Cal State Fullerton) drove in 2 runs for the Bacon in their 5th inning.
Two runs scored in the 6th inning for Macon on a double by Jared Kapturasky,lf(Mercyhurst).
The Bacon added 3 runs in the 7th inning.
Starting Savannah pitcher, Jason Gifford(Reinhardt) (L,0-1), pitched 5 innings, allowed 3 runs on 5 hits, struck out 8 and walked a batter.
Savannah had 6 hits for the game. Banana catcher Connor Hamilton(West Virginia) was 2-for-4.
Making his home debut for the Bananas, secondbaseman, Hunter Wilson(Arkansas) had numerous fielding opportunities which he handled flawlessly.(At Macon on Friday he was 2-for-3 with 2RBI's).
The next home game for Savannah is July 11th(Wednesday) against the Macon Bacon at Grayson Stadium.

                                                                       Hunter Wilson

Jake Sullivan(# 5) C/1b/DH

The Savannah Bananas are sending 6 players to the CPL All-Star game in Lexington.,SC July 8-9th. The Bananas versitle catcher, Jake  Sullivan, has also played first base and has been the designated hitter this season.
GP 20
Avg .386

HR 1
RBI 13
R 14
SB 2

Clay Dungan (#6) ss/2b

Six  Savannah Bananas players  have been selected to play in the CPL All Star game scheduled July 8-9 in Lexington SC.
Clay Dungan has played exceptionally well this season leading his team and league with the highest batting average.
Statistics:
GP 22
AVG .407
HR 2
RBI 26
R 22
SB 10

Lexington County Blowfish 7 Savannah Bananas 4

The Savannah Bananas(20-8) played the Lexington  County Blowfish(9-18) Thursday evening at Grayson Stadium in front of a sold out crowd 4,212).
Savannah outhit Lexington 10-9 but lost the game 7-4. The Bananas had numerous opportunities to score and left 13 runners on base.
Leading off the second inning for Savannah, catcher Connor Hamilton(West Virginia) singled and scored on a double by Garrett Delano,1b(Brown).
The Blowfish scored their first run in the 3rd inning. CJ Smith,lfGeorgia) walked and scored on a triple by Chandler Jenkins,DH(East Carolina). The Blowfish scored 2 runs in the 5th inning.
Savannah scored 2 runs in the 3rd inning highlited by an RBI single by Hamiliton  and a sac fly by Delano scored the second run of the inning.
With the bases loaded for Savannah in the 6th inning, a sac fly by Justin Dirden,RF(Southeast Missouri State) scored their final run.
 Sending 9 players to the plate in the 7th inning for Lexington, 3 runs scored. Leading off the inning, Zach Spivey,cf(Bethune-Cookman)homered over the right field fence(his 1st home run of the season). Chandler Jenkins singled to drive in a run. With the bases loaded, a walk scored a run.
The Blowfish added a run in the 8th inning.
Leading hitters for Savannah. Mason Miller,lf(Georgia Southern) was 2-for-5 with a run scored. Dirden  was 2-for-3 with 1RBI and a run scored. Hamilton was 2-for- 5 scored a run and had 1RBI.
Starting pitcher for Savannah, Peyton Fuller,(Oregon) pitched 4 innings, allowed 1 run on 2 hits, 3BB and 3 K's.Brayden Beldon(Oklahoma State) (L,2-2) pitched  2 innings, allowed 5 runs on 5 hits, 2K's and 1BB.
The next home game for Savannah is Saturday (July 7th) against the Macon Bacon at Grayson Stadium.

                                                         Connor Hamilton was 2-for-5

Jordan Merritt(#10) RHP

The Savannah Bananas are sending 6 players to the CPL All Star game in Lexington S.C. scheduled  July 8-9 2018.

One of the Banana players is pitcher Jordan Merritt who has recorded impressive stats.
APP 6
GS 4
W 3
L 0
SV 0
IP 29.1
ERA 1.23
K 29
Players who have their name on their glove are destined for great things.
Picture by Malcolm Tully.

Savannah Bananas 4 Holly Springs Salamanders 3

 The Savannah Bananas(19-8)  played the Holly Springs Salamanders(8-20)  Tuesday evening at Grayson Stadium in front of a sold out crowd(4,000) plus.
With the score tied 3-3 going into the bottom of the 10th inning for the Bananas, Clay Dungan,ss(Indiana State) laced a single up the middle to drive-in the winning run.(4-3).
In the 2nd inning, Savannah scored a run on a single by Justin Dirden,RF(Southeast Missouri State).
The Bananas scored a run in the 5th inning when Cade Marlowe reached first on an error by the shortstop, went to second on the throw, advanced to third on an error by the catcher. and scored on a single by Dungan.
Savannah scored a run in the 6th inning. Dirden doubled and scored on a single by Jake Howard,DH(North Georgia).
Two walks to the Salamanders in their  8th inning and both runners  would score on a double by Peyton  Isaacson,3b(Saint Leo).  Isaacson scored on a wild pitch.
Savannah starting pitcher, Jordan Merrit(Citadel) pitched 5 2/3 shutout innings, allowed 2 hits 3BB and 3 strike outs.
Pitching the final 2 innings for the Bananas, Hunter Phillips(South Alabama), (W,2-1) had 1K, and allowed 1 hit.
The Bananas had 11 hits for the game. Dungan was 5-for-5, with 2RBI's. He entered the contest with a .378 batting average and raised his average to .414.

The next game for Savannah is Thursday(July 5th) against the Lexington County Blowfish at Grayson Stadium.

Gillum announced as the National head All Star coach

Congradulations to Savannah Bananas head coach Tyler Gillum as the Head coach at the annual All Star game for the National team as posted on the CPL website.

For the National All-Stars, Gillum comes in after leading his Bananas to a 19-7 first-half record and currently holding the second best team earned run average at 3.08 while also sitting second overall as a team in batting average at .278. One of his calling cards all season has been putting the pressure on teams, which has his team on a record setting pace as far as stolen bases in a year with 94 already after one half of play. He will be joined in the dugout by Brian Rountree of the High Point-Thomasville HiToms who won the West Division First Half Championship and Marshall McDonald of the host team Lexington County Blowfish. 

The 2018 CPL All-Star event will will take place in Lexington, SC July 8-9th.