Grizzlies Win Close Battle Over Y'alls on Independence Day
July 5, 2023 - Frontier League (FL)
Gateway Grizzlies News Release
Sauget, IL - The Gateway Grizzlies got an outstanding pitching performance from Lukas Veinbergs and five relievers to hold an early lead on Independence Day and beat the Florence Y'alls 5-2, clinching the holiday week series at Grizzlies Ballpark.
Things began well for the Grizzlies' offense in the first inning, as Florence starter Jake McMahill (1-2) hit two batters and walked another to load the bases with no one out. Two batters later, Abdiel Diaz came through with a two-run single to put the Grizzlies ahead 2-0.
That is the way the game stayed until the fourth inning. Veinbergs (5-3) retired the first seven batters he faced, and struck out five batters in the first three frames. In the fourth, Florence used three straight singles to load the bases, and after Veinbergs picked up his sixth strikeout, he hit Zade Richardson on a 1-2 pitch to force home a run and make the score 2-1. The Gateway starter worked out of further trouble that inning, and also stranded two Florence runners on base in the fifth before the Grizzlies tacked on insurance in the form of a two-out, RBI single by Andrew Penner to take a 3-1 lead into the sixth inning.
Florence again was able to get within a run in the top of the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Harrison Dinicola at 3-2, but in the bottom half, McMahill walked three batters in a row with one out. After a pitching change, Gabe Holt came up clutch with a two-run single to right field, expanding the Grizzlies' cushion to 5-2.
The bullpen took it from there, as Trevor Tietz, Brian Eichhorn, and Colton Easterwood combined to retire all nine batters they faced, with Easterwood striking out the side to earn his seventh save of the season and send the crowd of 5,145 home happy with a fireworks show on the Fourth of July.
The Grizzlies will go for a series sweep against the Y'alls on Wednesday, July 5, at Grizzlies Ballpark. Nathanial Tate will make his first pro start on the mound for Gateway against Florence right-hander Evan Brabrand, with first pitch scheduled for 6:45 p.m. CT.
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
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
