Grizzlies Launch Four Homers to Power Past Otters
Published on August 11, 2016 under Frontier League (FL)
Gateway Grizzlies News Release
Sauget, Ill. - The Gateway Grizzlies smacked four homers to cruise past the Evansville Otters 7-2 at GCS Ballpark on Thursday night. Gateway (39-37) swept a short two-game set against the Otters.
Sam Fischer stole the show early as he hit two homers in his first two trips to the plate. In the second, Fischer laced a line drive to right field that sailed over the short porch for a three-run blast. He crushed another ball to right field in the fourth for his second long ball of the night.
The Grizzlies scored four runs total in the second inning to take a 4-0 lead against Evansville righty Shane Weedman.
Weedman (4-3) struggled in the third as he gave up back-to-back homers to begin the frame. Craig Massoni crushed a solo homer to left while Tyler Tewell followed it up with a homer to right. After Fischer's second homer, the Grizzlies led 7-0.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies received another solid pitching performance. RHP Will Landsheft (6-6) tossed six innings while giving up just two runs. He allowed a couple of solo homers to Evansville's Kaeo Aliviado and John Schultz.
The Otters (41-31) failed to score against Gateway's bullpen. RHP Ja'Vaun West threw two scoreless frames while striking out three batters. RHP Kevin Jefferis hurled a scoreless ninth.
A bright spot for the Otters was the work of their relievers. RHP Luc Rennie, RHP Kevin Kleis, and LHP Ken Frosch combine to throw four scoreless innings after Weedman was roughed up for seven runs.
Gateway is two games above .500 for the first time since early July. The Grizzlies enter Friday just one game behind the Normal CornBelters for the second Wild Card spot in the Frontier League's playoff picture.
Gateway begins a six-game road trip on Friday night at UC Health Stadium in Florence, Ky. The Grizzlies and Florence Freedom square off in the first tilt of a three-game series at 6:05 p.m.
The game can be heard on the Grizzlies Radio Network, which airs Friday on 1400 AM KJFF and online at www.GatewayGrizzlies.com/Radio. Sam Levitt will call the action.
The Grizzlies next return to GCS Ballpark on Friday, August 19 for the start of a five-game homestand. For tickets, please call the GCS Ballpark box office at (618) 337-3000 or visit www.GatewayGrizzlies.com.
Frontier League Stories from August 11, 2016
- Lake Erie Crushers D. Washington, 7-3 - Lake Erie Crushers
- Miners Drop Series Finale to CornBelters - Southern Illinois Miners
- Offense Explodes in Series-Clinching Victory - Florence Y'alls
- Grizzlies Launch Four Homers to Power Past Otters - Gateway Grizzlies
- Lake Erie Wins 7-3 - Washington Wild Things
- CornBelters End Road Trip on Winning Note - Normal CornBelters
- Boomers Swept by Joliet - Schaumburg Boomers
- Meet the Minions Night August 20 - River City Rascals
- Rascals Split Doubleheader against Florence - River City Rascals
- CornBelters Sign Justine Siegal as First Female Coach - Normal CornBelters
- Late Comeback Not Enough - Lake Erie Crushers
- Miners Dominate CornBelters for Third Win in a Row - Southern Illinois Miners
- Grizzlies Grab Early Lead and Cruise against Otters - Gateway Grizzlies
- Freedom Split Doubleheader with River City - Florence Y'alls
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