ECHL Utah Grizzlies

Grizzlies Fall In Season Opener

Published on May 21, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


SAUGET, IL - The Gateway Grizzlies and Southern Illinois Miners gave the 4,762 fans in attendance at GCS Ballpark on Friday night a great showing for the 2011 season opener as the two teams battled for 12 innings before the Miners came out victorious by the score of 4-3 on a Will Block solo homer in the 12th.

The Grizzlies took an early 1-0 lead as Jason Patton drove in Logan Parker with a sacrifice fly in the second inning. The Grizzlies extended their lead to 2-0 on a solo homer from Landon Hernandez in the third. The score stayed the same until the sixth when Hernandez drove in another on a sac fly to give the Grizzlies a 3-0 lead.

Mark Brackman gave the Grizzlies six solid innings before giving way to the Grizzlies bullpen. The Grizzlies three-run lead held up until the eighth when the Miners scored three runs off of second-year Grizzlie Nick Walters, who was dominant in 2010 with a 1.14 ERA. The Miners three-run inning included a Sean Harrel pinch hit two-run double.

The Grizzlies and Miners stay tied at three until the 12th inning when Will Block knocked a solo homer to left field off of Grizzlies reliever Jarett Attard. The Grizzlies were unable to answer in the bottom half as Miners close Erik Draxton set down the Grizzlies 1-2-3 to secure the Miners win and pick up his first save of the season.

Cory Cowsert got the win for the Miners after four shutout innings of relief. Attard took the loss for the Grizzlies after giving up the 12th inning homer to Block.

The Grizzlies and Miners resume their three-game season opening series on Saturday night at GCS Ballpark. Aaron Shafer will take the hill for the Grizzlies while Shawn Joy gets the start for the Miners. First pitch is set for 7:05.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff O'Neill, Steve Gomric or Adam Young in the Grizzlies office by calling 618.337.3000.

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ECHL Stories from May 21, 2011


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