FOR RELEASE: AUGUST 8, 2009

GRIZZLIES WIN SECOND STRAIGHT

SAUGET, IL-The Gateway Grizzlies got three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning Saturday night and held on for a 4-3 win over the Evansville Otters in front of 4,844 at GCS Ballpark. The win is the second consecutive victory for the Grizzlies.

Trailing 3-1 going into the inning, the Grizzlies (29-41) loaded the bases against Evansville starter Dustin Renfrow. Jareck West led off with an infield single, Brandon Johnson followed with a bunt single up the first base line. Danny Morrow was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Renfrow fanned Alex Kerins for the first out then walked Brandon Peters, forcing in a run, to make it 3-2. Renfrow was relieved by Kai Tuomi. Tuomi struck out Joe Agreste before yielding a two-out, two-run single to Joseph Scaperotta that put the Grizzlies up 4-3.

Scaperotta finished 1-4 with three RBIs.

Collin Brennan earned the win in relief for the Grizzlies. The rookie tossed two scoreless innings, allowing just a single hit and striking out four. Chris Wiman tossed a perfect ninth, striking out the final two hitters, for his second save in as many nights.

The Otters (23-48) built a 3-0 lead against Grizzlies starter Paige Dumont. They scored an unearned run in the first thanks to a fielding error. They pushed the lead to 2-0 in the third on a solo home run by Josh Howard. Frank Meade walked with the bases loaded in the fifth to make it 3-0. Dumont allowed the three runs, two earned, on six hits over six innings. He struck out five.

Chad Rothford and Brandon Johnson each had a pair of hits for the Grizzlies in the win.

The Grizzlies will go for the sweep Sunday afternoon at GCS Ballpark. First pitch is set for 3:05 pm.

Joe Pott

Broadcaster

Gateway Grizzlies Frontier League Baseball