Grizzlies Come Back Late to Sweep Y'alls
Published on July 5, 2023 under Frontier League (FL)
Gateway Grizzlies News Release
Sauget, IL - The Gateway Grizzlies scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to rally back from a 3-2 deficit and stun the Florence Y'alls 5-3, completing a three-game sweep and securing their 30th victory of the 2023 season.
It was Florence who started fast against Nathanial Tate, rallying for two runs with two outs on RBI hits by Harrison Dinicola and Zade Richardson to take their first lead of the series at 2-0. Gateway was able to counter against Evan Brabrand, with D.J. Stewart hitting a two-run home run to knot the score at 2-2.
Both starting pitchers then settled in and stifled further offense until the top of the sixth, when Richardson went deep to the berm in right-center field for a 3-2 Y'alls lead. The Grizzlies got men on base against Brabrand, but could not break through until the bottom of the eighth inning.
Jairus Richards started the comeback with a leadoff double against Kent Klyman (0-1), and after stealing third base, came in on a game-tying RBI single by Andrew Penner to even up the score at 3-3. But the Grizzlies were not done- Peter Zimmermann drew a walk, and Abdiel Diaz's sacrifice bunt moved the runners to second and third base. After Stewart was intentionally walked to load the bases, Mark Vierling hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly to center field. The throw from Taylor Olmstead was cut off, and with Zimmermann heading towards third, Dinicola's throw bounced past the third baseman for an error, allowing Zimmermann to scamper home with an additional run and put the Grizzlies ahead 5-3.
That was all Colton Easterwood needed, as Florence got a runner on base in the ninth to bring the tying run to the plate, but the right-hander struck out both Lane Hoover and Tristin Garcia looking to secure his Frontier League-leading eighth save of the summer and complete the sweep.
After an off day tomorrow, the Grizzlies will hit the road for their final series of the first half, taking on the Joliet Slammers for a weekend series beginning on Friday, July 7, at Duly Health and Care Field. All-star right-hander Collin Sullivan will start the contest for the Grizzlies as they look to continue their winning ways into the midsummer break.
Frontier League Stories from July 5, 2023
- Offence Explodes as Titans Defeat Boulders - Ottawa Titans
- Bolts Topple Wild Things 12-7 - Windy City ThunderBolts
- Grizzlies Come Back Late to Sweep Y'alls - Gateway Grizzlies
- Titans Top Boulders in Offensive Battle, 17-9 - New York Boulders
- Jackals First to 30 Wins, Sweep Sussex - New Jersey Jackals
- Y'alls Lose Late Lead, Drop Eighth Straight Game - Florence Y'alls
- ValleyCats Storm Past the Greys with 18 Runs Scored - Tri-City ValleyCats
- Washington Fights Back, Falls Behind Again in Middle Game Loss - Washington Wild Things
- Steve Brook, Grizzlies Staff to Manage West Division - Gateway Grizzlies
- Thomas Incaviglia Named to Frontier League East Division All-Star Team Coaching Staff - Tri-City ValleyCats
- Titans Rally Late to Beat Boulders, 10-3 - New York Boulders
- Titans Ride Six-Run Seventh Inning to Victory - Ottawa Titans
- Grizzlies Win Close Battle Over Y'alls on Independence Day - Gateway Grizzlies
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