GRIZZLIES STRAND SEVEN, FALL 1-0 TO OTTERS
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — The Gateway Grizzlies (10-26) couldn't find enough offense Wednesday afternoon, stranding seven runners en route to a 1-0 loss to the Evansville Otters (18-16) at Bosse Field.
The Grizzlies squandered a terrific start from righthander Alec Kisena (0-0), who hurled six shutout innings. He allowed only two hits, struck out five and walked one for a no-decision.
Chad Gendron (0-1) took the loss in relief for the Grizzlies. Mike Elwood came in and retired all five Otters he faced, but there simply wasn't enough offense to come back.
Matt Hearn singled on the infield in the first inning, but the Grizzlies went without another hit until Brandon Schlichtig sent a bouncer through the right side for a single in the sixth. The former Missouri Baptist Spartan collected the first two hits of his professional career and added a walk — he was the only hitter, for either team, who was never retired in the game.
The Grizzlies' best chances came in the seventh and eighth innings. In the seventh, they left runners at second and third when Evan Rogers grounded out. In the eighth, they loaded the bases with only one out and Blake Brown and Craig Massoni due up, but both struck out and the Grizzlies failed to score.
Gateway stranded five runners in scoring position, four in the final three innings alone — the Grizzlies left four on in the game's final third yesterday as well.
Zach Lavy had the fourth Gateway hit and added a walk.
Next up, the Grizzlies battle the Otters again in the finale of this three-game series in Evansville. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Thursday and can be heard on the Grizzlies Media Network. Coverage starts at 6:20 p.m.
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ABOUT THE GATEWAY GRIZZLIES: The Gateway Grizzlies are a professional baseball team, located a mere 100-yards from I-255 (10 minutes from downtown St. Louis). The Grizzlies offer baseball fans entertainment, the likes of which are difficult to find - affordable, family, fun in the comfortable GCS Credit Union Ballpark with a great view of the St. Louis skyline. For tickets or general information please visit gatewaygrizzlies.com or call 618.337.3000.
ABOUT THE FRONTIER LEAGUE: The Frontier League is celebrating its 25th season as a professional, independent baseball organization. Since its inception, the Frontier League has provided millions of fans to a fun and exciting baseball experience within the American Midwest. Consisting of 12 teams in two divisions and 96 game schedules, the league is recognized for the amount of talented athletes that are picked up by various MLB teams every year.