(Photo Credit: Mick Lite)
The Gateway Grizzlies were held hitless through nearly eight complete innings on Tuesday night as they fell in the first game of a three-game series against the Traverse City Beach Bums, 3-1.
Beach Bums’ starting pitcher Kramer Champlin (1-2) held Gateway’s offense hitless through 7.2 innings while protecting a 1-0 lead. Champlin allowed an RBI single to Grizzlies’ newcomer Cody Livesay in the 8th inning. Livesay’s base hit was the Grizzlies’ lone hit of the night and it tied the game at 1-1.
Traverse City (12-9) took the lead right back in the bottom of the eighth inning against LHP Jordan Sechler (0-1). With runners on first and second, Jose Vargas hit a potential double play ball to shortstop, but a wild throw to first base by Rolando Gomez squirted into foul territory and allowed the go-ahead run to score. Yazy Arbelo followed with a run-scoring hit to make it 3-1.
Grizzlies’ starter Kevin Sweeney was terrific in his second start for Gateway and picked up a no-decision. The Kansas native tossed seven innings and allowed only one run. He kept the game scoreless until the Beach Bums scratched across a run to take a 1-0 lead in the sixth.
The Grizzlies (7-16) were unable to mount a comeback against RHP Andrew Brockett in the ninth inning, who picked up his fifth save of the season.
The Grizzlies and Beach Bums play the second game of their three-game set tomorrow evening at 6:05 p.m. The Grizzlies send RHP Vincent Molesky to the mound against Traverse City RHP Anthony Montefusco. The game can be heard on the Grizzlies Radio Network, which airs on 101 ESPN’s digital platforms and 1400 AM KJFF.
