FOR RELEASE: JUNE 26, 2009

GRIZZLIES COMEBACK FALLS SHORT

SAUGET, IL-The Gateway Grizzlies scored three times in the bottom of the ninth inning Friday night, but it wasn’t enough. The River City Rascals hung on for a 10-9 victory in front of 5,148 at GCS Ballpark.

Trailing 10-6 going into the ninth, Charlie Lisk led off the inning with his ninth home run of the year, into the right-center field lawn. Joseph Scaperotta followed with a single to right, before Chad Rothford homered to bring the Grizzlies within a run. Breck Draper walked with two outs, but was left a first when the game ended.

The Grizzlies (11-21) committed a season-high four errors, which led to four unearned runs. Gateway has now dropped five straight.

The Grizzlies hit six home runs Friday night, tying their season-high. It is the second time this year they have hit six home runs against the Rascals.

Brandon Peters and Stephen Holdren hit back-to-back home runs in the first to put the Grizzlies ahead 2-0. River City got a run in the second to cut the lead to 2-1. Jareck West hit his first of the year in the second to give the Grizzlies a 3-1 lead.

The Rascals (22-10) tied the game with three runs in the third, before the Grizzlies answered. This time it was Draper. Draper hit his third of the year in the fourth. The three-run shot put the Grizzlies up 6-3.

River City scored four unearned runs in the fifth and sixth innings to chase Grizzlies’ starter Joel Boeschen. Boeschen went six innings, allowed seven runs, three earned, on eight hits. He walked one and struck out six. He dropped to 1-3 with the loss.

Scaperotta and Alex Kerins each had two hits for the Grizzlies. Scaperotta extended his hitting streak to 15 games with the two hits.

The Grizzlies welcome the Evansville Otters to town for a three-game set beginning Saturday night at GCS Ballpark. Game time is 7:05 pm.

Joe Pott

Broadcaster

Gateway Grizzlies Frontier League Baseball