Grizzlies frolic in easy victory over Otters
The Gateway Grizzlies scored three runs in the second inning and never looked back on Wednesday night against the Evansville Otters as Gateway cruised to an 8-3 victory at GCS Ballpark.
The Grizzlies (38-37) received a two-run blast to right field from Ben Waldrip in the second to put them ahead 2-0. Logan Davis hit an RBI single later in the frame off Evansville lefty Hunter Ackerman to make it 3-0.
Ackerman (4-5) struggled throughout the evening while Gateway righty Adam Eggnatz delivered another solid performance. Eggnatz (6-3) went six strong innings while giving up just three runs and striking out six batters.
The Otters (41-30) put together a rally in the third as they plated two runs off Eggnatz to cut Gateway’s advantage to 3-2.
In the fifth, the Grizzlies exploded for more. Brandon Thomas started the inning with a single while Craig Massoni followed with one of his own. Waldrip later hit a ground ball that scored a run while a throwing error allowed another to come home.
Josh Bunselmeyer stepped in with two outs and launched a fly ball beyond the left field wall for two-run shot. Bunselmeyer’s third homer of the season gave the Grizzlies an 8-2 edge.
Jon Pusateri relieved Eggnatz in the seventh and tossed two scoreless frames while striking out five. Chris Scarlett put together a quick ninth inning to end the ballgame.
Bunselmeyer led Gateway’s offense with the home run and a triple. Waldrip and Thomas also had two hits a piece.
The Grizzlies currently sit only a game behind the Normal CornBelters for the second Wild Card spot in the Frontier League standings.
The Grizzlies and Otters finish a short two-game set on Thursday in the friendly confines of GCS Ballpark. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. Will Landsheft (5-6, 4.05 ERA) makes the start for Gateway while Evansville sends Shane Weedman (4-2, 3.14 ERA) to the hill.
The game can be heard on the Grizzlies Radio Network, which airs Thursday on 1400 AM KJFF and online at GatewayGrizzlies.
com/Radio. Sam Levitt and Matt Sabados have the call.
This story was originally published August 10, 2016 at 10:56 PM with the headline "Grizzlies frolic in easy victory over Otters."