GRIZZLIES SURRENDER THREE HOME RUNS; FLORENCE TAKES GAME TWO
SAUGET, Ill. – The Gateway Grizzlies surrendered six runs in four innings on Saturday night at GCS Credit Union Ballpark. FINAL SCORE: Florence 6, Gateway 2.
Gateway starter Will Landsheft pitched in and out of jams through the first three innings. The Grizzlies defense helped out, converting two important double plays in the first and third innings.
The game went scoreless through the first three innings in Sauget. Florence struck first as first baseman Jordan Brower hit a solo home run with one out in the top of the fourth inning to break the scoreless tie.
Florence added three more runs in the top of the fifth inning when Collins Cuthrell crushed a three-run home run over the left field wall. Cuthrell's long ball extended the lead to 4-0.
Gateway was held scoreless until the bottom half of the fifth inning. Matt Hearn delivered a two out two-run single to cut the Florence lead in half.
Florence scored two insurance runs in the next two innings to extend the lead to 6-2, including a solo home run by third baseman Jose Brizuela in the seventh.
The Grizzlies were shut out through the final four innings of the game and Florence clinched their second series at GCS Credit Union Ballpark this season.
Gateway's offense produced eight hits, but seven runners were stranded throughout the night.
Landsheft took the loss, bringing his record to 2-4 on the season. He pitched through five innings, allowing four runs (all earned) on four hits. He walked five and struck out three.
Gateway will look to avoid the sweep in the series finale on Sunday night. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. All of the action can be heard on the Grizzlies Media Network.
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.