The Grizzlies came out on top in a pitching duel on Friday night, squeaking out a 2-1 victory over the Thunderbolts at Ozinga Field.
With two on in the top of the 3rd, Abdiel Diaz hit a hard grounder to third base that gave Justin Jones enough time to score and put Gateway in front 1-0. Windy City, though, had a quick response. Dan Robinson plated a run on an RBI single in the home half of that frame to even the score.
Following a long draw, Andres Regnault delivered an RBI double in the 7th that gave the Grizzlies their decisive 2-1 edge.
For Gateway, rookie RHP Colton Easterwood struck out five and allowed just one run across 5 innings in his professional debut. In the end, Grizzlies RHP Carter Hayes (1-0) took home his first professional win after two clean innings of relief and Justin Watts (1) earned his first save of the season.
Windy City LHP Jake Fisher (1-2) tossed his best outing of the season to date, going seven full innings with no walks and five punchouts of his own. However, with the two runs allowed being decisive, he was charged with the loss.
The Grizzlies and T-Bolts square off again Saturday night at Ozinga Field. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. and you can listen live on YO Radio or watch on Frontier League TV starting with the Budweiser Pregame Show at 5:50 p.m.
