SAUGET, IL- Newcomer Carter McQuigg homered twice in his debut as they Gateway Grizzlies defeated the Rockford RiverHawks 7-2 to salvage a win in the three-game series at GCS Ballpark.
Rockford (28-29) opened the scoring with a pair of second inning runs.
McQuigg, who was signed earlier in the day, homered in his first at-bat to cap a four-run second inning that gave the Grizzlies (30-27) the lead for good. McQuigg added a solo shot in the fifth that extended the Grizzlies lead to 5-2. McQuigg finished with three RBIs.
They added single runs in the seventh and eighth innings.
Derek Blacksher (8-3) earned his team-leading eighth win pitching into the eighth inning. He allowed two runs on five hits. He struck out seven. Eric Ridener pitched two scoreless innings to earn his fifth save of the year.
Matt Reynolds, also signed earlier in the afternoon, was 2-4 with two runs scored. Michael Campbell was 2-4 with a home run, his eighth of the year.
The win keeps the Grizzlies two games behind division-leading Southern Illinois.