Fischer's Grand Slam Caps Heroic Night as Grizzlies Sweep Doubleheader
Published on July 3, 2016 under Frontier League (FL)
Gateway Grizzlies News Release
Sauget, Ill. - The Gateway Grizzlies swept a twin billing from the River City Rascals on Saturday night as rookie Sam Fischer provided the game-winning hits in both games. Fischer ended the night with a walk-off grand slam, while his go-ahead two-run blast in the opener powered Gateway past River City.
With the Grizzlies (24-21) trailing 4-3 in their final at-bat, Fischer stepped in against Rascals RHP Jared Wilson (0-3) with the bases loaded and launched a grand slam deep over the right field fence to win it, 7-4. Gateway has now won 14 of 17 games and five in a row.
Gateway received a solid performance from RHP JaVaun West in the second game, as West allowed just three runs in six innings of work. After he allowed a run in the first, Grizzlies catcher Jason Scholl rocketed a two-run homer to give the Grizzlies a 2-1 lead.
In the third, Alexi Colon hit his third homer of the series to tie the game at 2-2. The Rascals scratched across a run against West in the fourth to make it 3-2.
In the sixth, Gateway's offense evened the score as River City's bullpen faltered. After Ben Waldrip's leadoff single, Josh Bunselmeyer drove in the tying run on an RBI double.
RHP Jon Pusateri, pitching for the second time in the doubleheader, allowed the go-ahead run to River City (20-22) in the top half of the seventh. Fischer's heroics in the bottom half sent a crowd of nearly 6,000 home happy from GCS Ballpark.
The Grizzlies won Game 1 of the twin billing after trailing 3-0 early on. Gateway's offense exploded for a five-run fourth inning as their bullpen locked down a victory.
RHP Will Landsheft (3-4) allowed a leadoff homer Alexi Colon to start the game while a two-out RBI triple from Kyle Gaedele made it 2-0 in the opening frame. Landsheft gave up a solo shot to Robby Enslen in the fourth as River City took a 3-0 edge.
In the fourth, the Grizzlies finally got to Rascals lefty Austin Warner (0-1), who was making the first start of his pro career. Brandon Thomas began the frame with a walk and came around to score on an RBI double from Blake Brown. Josh Bunselmeyer then stepped to the dish and laced a double of his own to plate Brown, cutting the deficit to 3-2.
Fischer provided a two-run shot to left field which was followed by a solo homer from Logan Davis over the right field wall. The Grizzlies led 5-3 at the end of the fourth.
Pusateri pitched a scoreless frame in the sixth while RHP Will LaMarche secured his first save of the season as he stranded the tying runs on base in the seventh.
The Grizzlies go for six straight wins on Sunday evening as they continue their series against River City. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. The game can be heard on the Grizzlies Radio Network, which airs Sunday online at www.GatewayGrizzlies.com/Radio. Sam Levitt and Matt Sabados have the call.
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- Fischer's Grand Slam Caps Heroic Night as Grizzlies Sweep Doubleheader - Gateway Grizzlies
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