Excellent Pitching Propels Grizzlies Past ThunderBolts

Sauget, Ill. – The Gateway Grizzlies edged past the Windy City ThunderBolts 2-1 on Sunday evening at GCS Ballpark as Gateway starter Jon Jones tossed seven scoreless innings. After dropping the opener of a three-game set on Friday, the Grizzlies won the series by taking the final two games of the weekend.

In six games on Gateway’s current homestand, the pitching staff has allowed just sixteen runs combined. The Grizzlies moved back to .500 at 34-34 with the victory.

Jones (3-2) maneuvered in and out of trouble in each of the first three innings. In the first, he stranded a runner in scoring position after a one-out double from Tim Zier. The lefty then experienced two straight frames where a pair of Windy City runners reached base with nobody out. Jones worked out of both innings masterfully, with no runs scoring in either.

In the bottom half of the third, Sam Fischer delivered the first blow against ThunderBolts starting pitcher Kyle Von Ruden (1-2). He rocketed the first pitch of the inning over the right field fence for a solo blast. His seventh homer of the season gave the Grizzlies a 1-0 edge.

Jones settled down in the middle innings, as he held Windy City (32-34) to no runs through seven strong innings while striking out seven batters. In the bottom of the seventh, Gateway tacked on another run as Zach Lavy plated Craig Massoni with a sacrifice fly.

In the eighth, RHP Jordan Wellander came out of Gateway’s bullpen. Larry Balkwill singled to begin the frame while he would eventually score on a sac fly by Ransom LaLonde. The run was unearned against Wellander.

RHP Will LaMarche entered for the ninth inning while looking to pick up his third save. Despite hitting a batter, he locked down Gateway’s rubber game victory.

The Grizzlies continue their homestand on Tuesday night as the Traverse City Beach Bums come to town for the start of three-game set. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m.

The game can be heard on the Grizzlies Radio Network, which airs Tuesday on 1400 AM KJFF and online at www.GatewayGrizzlies.com/Radio. Sam Levitt and Matt Sabados have the call.

For tickets, please call the GCS Ballpark box office at (618) 337-3000 or visit www.GatewayGrizzlies.com.