GRIZZLIES WALK-OFF AGAINST FREEDOM IN WILD TENTH INNING

Sauget, Ill. - The Grizzlies took the rubber game of their three-game set against the Florence Freedom after a 2-1 walk-off win in 10 innings, as the Grizzlies saw a runner score in the tenth on two errors and a passed ball.

With two outs in the bottom half of the tenth and the score tied at 1-1, Seth Heck stepped to the plate and popped a ball up just a handful of feet down the third base line. Freedom catcher Isaac Wenrich dropped the ball, and immediately threw it into the Gateway bullpen trying to snag Heck at first. Heck would end up at third on the throwing error. 

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On the very next next pitch to Craig Massoni, Wenrich let a slider slip past him to the backstop, giving Heck the opportunity to race home with the winning run. RHP Matt Pobereyko (0-2) took the loss. 

Gateway struck first in the game, when Brandon Thomas led of the inning with a single followed by his league leading ninth steal of the season. When Florence starter Stetson Nelson retired the next two batters and Thomas moved over to third, it took Logan Davis' speed and a dive into first base to leg out an RBI infield single.

Florence would respond immediately in the top of the sixth, when Vince Molesky walked Taylor Oldham to begin the frame. Oldham stole second and came around to score on a single two batters later. 

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Vince Molesky (1-0) sailed through 6.2 innings, allowing only seven hits and one run before being relieved by Jon Jones. The Gateway bullpen continued their masterful work by allowing no runs the rest of the game. The unit has now gone their past 15 innings without allowing a single run.

Nelson (1-0) came away with a no-decision after getting yanked early in the fifth, allowing only one run on four hits before Florence went to their bullpen. A combined four relievers would come in for the Freedom, and they would allow just a single hit.  

Gateway will close out their seven-game homestand on Memorial Day with a single game against the Evansville Otters. First pitch is at 12:05 p.m.