SAUGET, Ill. – The Gateway Grizzlies struggled both offensively and defensively, committing three errors as the Evansville Otters took the first of three games Friday night at GCS Credit Union Ballpark. FINAL SCORE: Gateway 3, Evansville 10.
Gateway starter Alec Kisena didn’t seem to have his command on his pitches in the early innings as Evansville scored one run in the first and then four in the second to take a 5-0 lead.
Gateway scored a run in the third on a two-out solo home run by designated hitter Blake Brown, but Evansville went back to work after that.
Evansville added three insurance runs in the sixth thanks to a one-out, three-run home run by right fielder Jeff Gardner to make the score 9-2. Gardner went 3-for-5 with six RBIs in Friday night’s contest.
Kisena’s night came to an end after the home run. He allowed 11 hits and nine runs in 5 1/3 innings while striking out four and walking four.
Gateway will resume action Saturday night in the second game against Evansville at GCS Credit Union Ballpark. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. All the action can be heard on the Grizzlies Media Network.
