The Savannah Bananas started off the second half of the summer with a commanding 8-2 win over the Lexington County Blowfish at Historic Grayson Stadium on Tuesday night.
The game was over when…
Bananas first baseman Dan Oberst unequivocally and indisputably annihilated a baseball in the second inning to put the Bananas up 7-0 in the second inning (more on that in a bit). Yes, it was only the second inning, but it completely took the air out of the Blowfish.
Pupper Parade
It was Bark in the Park day at Grayson Stadium so my day was certainly made watching all the puppers at the field when I walked in. They definitely brought good luck for the Nanners on Tuesday night. Fun Fact: The Bananas are undefeated this year when doggos are in the stadium.
If you’re looking for a ripe infusion of serotonin, check out the pupper parade in the video below.
Dan Oberst Hit a Ball to the Moon
The Bananas put up a seven-spot in the second inning, and Oberst provided the fireworks. On a 2-1 pitch, Oberst absolutely brought the hammer down on this baseball. As soon as he hit it, everyone in Grayson Stadium knew what just happened. It was the first Bananas dinger at home since Eduardo Malinowski had that immaculate bat flip back on June 1.
Danny Oberst goes yard.
That’s it. That’s the tweet. pic.twitter.com/6sveBzur2B— Savannah Bananas (@TheSavBananas) June 30, 2021
This ball traveled to the moon. The actually distance was 407 feet, which is basically the moon in baseball terms. It was an absolute tank job that all but sealed the fate for the Blowfish. Is it the first baseball to land on the moon? I don’t know. I don’t think we have the technology to know that yet.
I guess we’ll have to wait until 2024 when NASA goes back to the moon.
A Boy Band in the Making? That’s Classified Information
Fans of the Nanners know that every home game features four players getting down in a choreographed dance with Maceo behind the choreography. As someone who has personally gone through the process of learning a full number just hours before a game (Mine was to “Hot N’ Herre” by Nelly), it’s equal parts terrifying and exhilarating.
The Nanners crushed their dance on Tuesday night (shocker), making some of us wonder whether they might be able to thrive as a boy band, simply given the natural ability they displayed. So I caught up with Bananas catcher Turner Pruitt to get the scoop.
We think this is a sign to make a Savannah Bananas Boy Band… RT if you agree pic.twitter.com/aKEQWbi1Sy
— Savannah Bananas (@TheSavBananas) June 29, 2021
First, I had to ask Turner how he could twerk so effortlessly and naturally (0:43 in the video above). His answer was quite simple.
“It’s really just about becoming one with the rhythm, letting the music find you, and whatever happens happens. That’s all it is. No effort, it’s just natural.”
So basically, you’re either born with it or your not. But then I have some #sources that say Pruitt may or may not be leading a Bananas Boy Band in the future. So obviously, I pressed Turner about that. He didn’t budge.
“That’s classified information. You’re going to have to wait and see.”
But then Turner told me why he would be a leader of said boy band, hypothetically of course.
“I think the twerking might have something to do with it. The Pit Vipers might have something to do with it—no free ads—it all goes into it.”
I guess we will have to wait and see when it comes to the Bananas potentially forming a boy band. But if it does happen, you heard it here first.
Players of the Game
The aforementioned Oberst sent a ball into orbit that may have hit the International Space Station. He finished with three RBIs on the day. Ty Jackson was a menace all night for the Nanners. He did it all going 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored while adding a walk and a stolen base.
Starter Nathan Dettmer had a solid outing on the mound. The righty freshman from Texas A&M went 5.0 innings pitched while allowing just three hits and no runs. Though he only struck out one Blowfish, it was the most important one because the entire stadium got a free donut.
Starting the Second-Half Strong
The Bananas already secured a playoff spot in August by winning the CPL West Division during the first half. Biko’s recap of the clinching week is almost as great as he is. Almost. Classic Biko just being an all-around stud.
Clinching the first half gets them at least one home game. They started off the second half on the right foot with a win on Tuesday night. They don’t have to win the division again to make the playoffs but let’s be honest, these boys couldn’t lose even if they tried.
What’s Next for the Nanners?
The Bananas have the day off Wednesday and will be back home at Grayson Stadium on Thursday night to host the Macon Bacon.