Updated August 14 2016
In their final home appearance of 2016, the Savannah Bananas walked away 8-4 winners over the Peninsula Pilots in the first game of the Coastal Plain League Championship.
The Pilots came out swinging and put up two runs in the first inning. The Bananas answered back in a big way when Clay Dungan (Indiana State), the first batter in the Bananas’ lineup, launched a home run over the right field fence. The Bananas carried that momentum the rest of the game, especially in the stands, where fans were on their feet until after the final out in the ninth inning.
Dungan and Clint Hardy (Augusta University) led the Bananas with two hits and three RBIs apiece. Catcher Adam Gauthier (Dartmouth) also had two hits on the night. The Bananas put up three runs in the 5th inning to break away from the Pilots thanks to a two run double by Hardy.
Left-handed pitcher Coby Weaver (Dallas Baptist) improved to 5-0, with six strikeouts through 6 1/3 innings.
Peninsula refused to go quietly in the 9th, scoring two and giving the Banana fans a scare, but ultimately Paul Kirkpatrick (Western Kentucky) proved too strong and closed the game out.
The Bananas will travel to Hampton, VA to take on the Pilots in Game Two of the Championship. If they win they will be returning to Grayson Stadium with the Petitt Cup on Tuesday.
The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 20th season in 2016, the CPL features 16 teams playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL has had nearly 1,300 alumni drafted and 89 of those – including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander – make their Major League debut; while another notable alum – Russell Wilson – won Super Bowl XLVIII. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com and follow us via Twitter @CPLBaseball.
Contact:Liz Bushaw
Phone:912-712-2482