Grizzlies Continue Best Start in Franchise History,
June 7, 2017 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Gastonia Grizzlies News Release
GASTONIA - Before Tuesday night's doubleheader against Lexington County (S.C.), the Gastonia Grizzlies had already secured the best start in franchise history. That perfect start continued against the Blowfish, as the Grizzlies swept two at Sims Legion Park with an 11-4 victory in Game 1 and a 7-0 win in game 2.
The wins improved Gastonia to 7-0 on the season. Before this year, the most wins the Grizzlies strung together to begin the year was four - in 2003 and 2004. The seven-game win streak is tied for the second-longest in Grizzlies franchise history. The franchise record is an eight-game streak during the 2010 season.
Game 1
Player of of the Game: Matt McGarry, Gastonia Grizzlies second baseman
The No. 7 hitter in the Grizzlies order roped a two-run triple in the bottom of the fifth inning - part of a five-run frame for Gastonia. In the sixth, McGarry picked up another extra-base hit with an RBI double.
The Belmont Abbey infielder finished the night 2 for 4 with two RBIs and a run scored. He came into the night 5 for 20 on the season with four RBIs. For the Crusaders this spring, he hit .272 with an on-base percentage of .383, two home runs and 38 RBIs.
Big Moment: Davey goes yard early
It's not easy to hit the ball out of Sims Legion Park. There's no short, hitter-friendly fences around the outfield, as it's 335 feet down the line and 360 in the power alleys. But Chaz Davey, the Grizzlies right fielder on Tuesday, got hold of a fastball in the first inning from Lexington County's Charlie Hecht and sent it to the deepest part of the ballpark.
Lexington County center fielder Zach Spivey tracked the ball to the fence and made a leaping attempt, but the home run dropped on the other side of the 380-foot sign.
It was the first home run of the season for the Grizzlies at Sims Legion and the second overall. Caleb Potter hit the other, a two-run shot in a 7-4 victory over Forest City on June 2.
Game 2
Player of the Game: Nash Jamison, Grizzlies pitcher
The East Gaston product worked four scoreless innings to pick up the win on the mound. Jamison, a native of Mount Holly, gave up just one hit, walked three and struck out five in the outing.
Big Moment: The whole bottom of the fifth
Lexington County's Ryan Stoudemire battled Jamison early in a pitchers' duel, but once the Blowfish pulled their starter, the wheels came off. Seven straight Gastonia batters reached in a six-run fifth as the Grizzlies took the drama out of a low-scoring game and turned it into a rout.
Next up: Gastonia will hit the road for one of its longest road trips of the Coastal Plain League regular season - a trip to Martinsville, Virginia to face the Mustangs on Wednesday night.
The Grizzlies' next home game will be Friday night against the Forest City Owls during an evening that will also feature the YMCA Gastonia Grizzlies 5K before the ballgame.
Lexington County will be back home Wednesday night as they host Florence. The RedWolves entered Tuesday night as one of three undefeated teams in the CPL, along with Gastonia and Peninsula.
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Coastal Plain League Stories from June 7, 2017
- Blowfish Deflate for Eighth Straight - Lexington County Blowfish
- Grizzlies Continue Best Start in Franchise History, - Gastonia Grizzlies
- Pilots Split DH with Steamers - Peninsula Pilots
- Pilots Split DH with Steamers - Peninsula Pilots
- Steamers Split Doubleheader with Peninsula - Edenton Steamers
- Rascals Battle Back against Wildthings in 13-7 Win - Forest City Owls
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