GRIZZLIES LOSE LEAD, SERIES OPENER

AVON, Ohio — The Gateway Grizzlies (6-19) took a brief lead in the sixth inning on a two-run single by Craig Massoni, but fell to the Lake Erie Crushers (11-14) in 12 innings, 10-9.

Lake Erie answered right back in the bottom of the sixth inning to tie the score, and Gateway never led again.

The Crushers had led 3-0 and 5-2 in the early innings of the game, but no lead was safe Friday night — the two teams combined to score 19 runs on 19 hits and 9 errors.

Blake Brown led the Grizzlies with three hits and two RBIs, the latter of which scored Cody Livesay in the eighth inning to tie the game at 8-8. That run pushed the Grizzlies into extra innings for the first time this year.

Livesay added two hits and scored three runs. He also walked twice. Zach Lavy, Anthony Caronia and Terry McClure all picked up hits. Lavy scored a run and drove in another. McClure tallied his 10th RBI of the year and fourth in the last two games. Caronia scored a run.

Adam Eggnatz (0-4) took the loss for Gateway. He threw 4 2/3 innings, over which he surrendered six runs (four earned) on six hits, striking out two and walking six.

Michael Elwood threw two perfect innings out of the bullpen.

Gateway will finish its six-game road trip with two more games at Lake Erie over the next two days. Saturday night's contest is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. CDT. Fans can hear all the action on the Grizzlies Media Network.