FOR RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 3, 2008

GRIZZLIES DROP FINALE; OPEN PLAYOFFS ON FRIDAY

The Southern Illinois Miners scored five times in the ninth inning Wednesday night to defeat the Gateway Grizzlies 8-3 in the regular season finale.  The loss snaps a season-long six-game winning streak for the Grizzlies.

Both teams will begin post-season play on Friday night.

Justin Lilly (7-5) suffered the loss allowing all five runs in the ninth.  Lilly was the fifth pitcher used by the Grizzlies.  Demetri White started and allowed two runs, one earned on two hits.  He walked five but struck out nine. 

Brandon Peters drove in a pair of runs for the Grizzlies.  He was 2-4.  He now has eight RBIs in seven games played with the Grizzlies.  Charlie Lisk was 2-4.

The Grizzlies conclude the regular season with a 51-45 record in third place in the West Division.  They enter the playoffs as the fourth seed.  They open the first round of the playoffs at Kalamazoo, the one seed.  Southern Illinois (58-38) finishes the regular season in second in the West Division.  They are the third seed in the playoffs and open Friday at Windy City, the two seed.

Games one and two for the Grizzlies are Friday and Saturday night in Kalamazoo.  Game time both nights is 6:05 central time.