MOLESKY TIES STRIKEOUT RECORD, GRIZZLIES WIN FINALE
SAUGET, Ill. – The Gateway Grizzlies finished the 2017 season with a victory and series win against the Evansville Otters Sunday night at GCS Credit Union Ballpark. FINAL SCORE: Gateway 6, Evansville 3.
Gateway starter Vince Molesky was the star of the game.
Despite giving up a two-run home run in the first inning to Evansville first baseman Alejandro Segovia, Molesky struck out the side to begin the game.
Gateway cut the lead in half with a run in the first, and took the lead for good on a two-out, three-run home run by shortstop Brent Sakurai to make the score 4-2. It was his fourth homer of the season, and in his second in as many games.
Gateway added a couple insurance runs in the fifth on a two-run home run by centerfielder Dan Holst — his second big fly of 2017.
That was all the run support that Molesky would need. Molesky earned the victory to bring his 2017 record to 8-7, allowing only three runs and striking out 12.
Vince's 12 strikeouts tie the franchise record for most strikeouts in a single season of 120, matching the previous record held by Scott Patterson in both 2003 and 2004. Patterson went on to pitch in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees and the San Diego Padres.
Molesky was named as the Grizzlies' Pitcher of the Year during pre-game ceremonies. Blake Brown took home Most Valuable Player and Matt Hearn was named Rookie of the Year.
The Grizzlies would like to thank all of their fans for such loyal support throughout the 2017 campaign, and are hopeful for another successful season of affordable, family, fun in 2018.
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.