Comeback Falls Short as Grizzlies Lose to ThunderBolts
June 3, 2023 - Frontier League (FL)
Gateway Grizzlies News Release
Crestwood, IL - The Gateway Grizzlies fell behind almost immediately on Saturday night against the Windy City ThunderBolts, and rallied to get within one run twice, but could not get over the hump in a 7-6 loss at Ozinga Field, snapping their nine-game win streak.
In the bottom of the first inning, Jake Boone bunted the first pitch from Lukas Veinbergs (2-2) back towards the mound, and ended up at third base on a high throw by the pitcher for an error. Bren Spillane then tripled and Junior Martina singled to put Windy City ahead 2-0 before an out was recorded. The ThunderBolts would score another run in the frame to go up 3-0 after the first.
Gateway got on the board in the top of the second inning when Boone made a throwing error of his own, allowing Andrew Penner to score and make it 3-1, but Windy City scored that run back on a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the third inning. With two outs in the fourth, Gateway got a two-out single by Alex Hernandez to set up Mark Vierling, who drove home two runs with a single to make it 4-3.
Windy City then scored another run with two outs in the bottom of the fourth, however, to lead 5-3, followed by a two-run home run by Spillane to take a 7-3 lead. Down four runs in the eighth inning, Gateway attempted a rally again, getting four straight hits to start the inning off reliever Alex McKenney, including RBI hits by Vierling and Gabe Holt, to get within 7-5. A sacrifice fly by Abdiel Diaz then got the Grizzlies back within a run at 7-6, but they stranded the tying run at third base.
In the ninth, Jairus Richards was hit by a pitch with one out, and moved into scoring position thanks to a two-out error on Windy City third baseman Junior Martina, but the Grizzlies could not complete the comeback, with a ground ball to Boone at shortstop ending the game.
Still in first place in the West Division standings despite the loss to the ThunderBolts, the Grizzlies will now return to Sauget to begin their longest home stand of the season on Tuesday, June 6, when they open up a series against the Empire State Greys at Grizzlies Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. CT.
Frontier League Stories from June 3, 2023
- ValleyCats Launch Two Homers to Take Middle Game - Tri-City ValleyCats
- Spillane's Monster Day Helps Bolts Defeat Gateway 7-6 - Windy City ThunderBolts
- Knapp's Strong Start, Offense Leads to Middle Game Win - Washington Wild Things
- Comeback Falls Short as Grizzlies Lose to ThunderBolts - Gateway Grizzlies
- Y'alls Ambush Jackals for 17 Runs in Series-Clinching Blowout - Florence Y'alls
- Capitales Pull Ahead Late, Hold Off Late Titans Rally to Even Series - Ottawa Titans
- Boomers Score Historic Win in Montreal - Schaumburg Boomers
- Sam Gardner Signed by Brewers - Gateway Grizzlies
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