(Press Release, Photo Credit: Paul Baillargeon)
The Gateway Grizzlies scored four runs in the second inning and cruised to a 5-1 victory Friday night against the Traverse City Beach Bums in the season opener at GCS Ballpark.
Grizzlies starting pitcher Dejai Oliver (1-0), an 8th round pick of the Marlins in 2011, allowed only one hit during his seven shutout innings to earn the win. The right-hander from Orlando, Fla. struck out five batters and walked four while throwing 110 pitches.
Gateway (1-0) supplied Oliver all of the offense he would need in the second inning, scoring four runs on four hits and one Traverse City error. Garrett Vail drove in a run on a ground out, Jonathan Johnson singled in a run and Madison Beaird drove in two on a single.
Gateway added a single run in the fourth inning on a Niko Vasquez RBI walk.
Macklin paced the Grizzlies offense going 2-for-3 with a double and two runs.
Luke Westphal allowed an unearned run in the eighth inning and Aaron Baker tossed a scoreless ninth inning to finish off the Grizzlies win.
Gateway and Traverse City play game two of the series Saturday night at GCS Ballpark. Carlyle, Ill. native Aaron Newcomb gets the start for the Grizzlies. It’s Scroll Pen Giveaway presented by Quantum Vision Centers. First pitch is set for 7:05.
Single-Game, Season and Group tickets are on sale now. For more information call 618.337.3000.
