NINTH INNING COMEBACK LIFTS GATEWAY TO WALK OFF VICTORY
SAUGET, Ill. – Grizzlies newcomer Dan Holst walked with the bases loaded to bring in the game-winning run in the ninth. The Grizzlies broke a nine-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory at GCS Credit Union Ballpark on Thursday night.
Southern Illinois started the scoring in the top of the first inning. Gateway starter Will Landsheft gave up a two-out RBI single to Southern Illinois first baseman Craig Massoni, but settled in after that.Landsheft shut down the Southern Illinois batters for the next four innings, picking up four strikeouts. Gateway tied the score at one on a sacrifice fly by right fielder Blake Brown, scoring Matt Hearn in the fifth.
Southern Illinois got a break in the sixth. Catcher Ben Moore hit a fly ball to center field, but Gateway centerfielder Matt Hearn could not make the catch, allowing Moore to advance to second.
Moore came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Southern Illinois shortstop Culver Plant to put the Miners on top 2-1.
With two outs and runners on first and second in the bottom of the ninth inning, Grizzlies first baseman Jack Hranec came up big. Hranec laced an RBI single over the head of Miners shortstop Culver Plant to tie the game up at two.
Grizzlies rookie Dan Holst worked a full count with the bases loaded and two outs. He watched a fastball tail low and away for ball four to send Holst down the first base line and Blake Brown across home plate. FINAL: Southern Illinois 2, Grizzlies 3.Landsheft picked up the no decision, allowing five hits, two runs (one earned), while striking out five through six innings.
Gateway will travel to River City for two games to face the Rascals beginning Friday night. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. All 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.