(PRESS RELEASE, PHOTO CREDIT: Paul Baillargeon)
SAUGET, Ill. – The Rockford Aviators scored four first inning runs and held on for a 7-4 win Tuesday night against the Gateway Grizzlies at GCS Ballpark in the series opener.
Gateway (11-6) starting pitcher Dejai Oliver (2-2) allowed four runs on five hits in the first inning to give Rockford, winners of three straight, an early 4-0 lead. The first four batters of the game singled and Austin Gallagher capped off the inning with a two-run double in his first game with the Aviators.
Michael Wing and Ben Waldrip hit back-to-back home runs in the second inning to make the score 4-2. The home runs were the first of the year for both players.
Oliver allowed a run in the fourth and a run in the sixth before leaving the game after five and two thirds innings. The right-hander from Orlando, Fla. surrendered six runs on six hits with six walks and four strikeouts in the loss.
Gateway came within two runs again in the sixth inning on a two-out rally. Richard Seigel doubled, Landon Hernandez was hit by a pitch and both guys came in to score on a two-run single from Wing.
Rockford added an eighth inning insurance run on a Jeff Kremer RBI single.
Wing led the Grizzlies offense going 2-for-4 with three runs batted in.
The Grizzlies continue their homestand Wednesday with game two of their series against the Aviators. Right-hander Aaron Newcomb (2-1) will make the start for the Grizzlies at 7:05.
Single-Game, Season and Group tickets are on sale now. For more information call 618.337.3000.