GRIZZLIES DROP HOMESTAND FINALE TO EVANSVILLE

Sauget, Ill. - On a Memorial Day matchup against the Evansville Otters, the Gateway Grizzlies fell in their final game of a seven-game homestand, 10-4.

Gateway (9-7) got on top early in the first inning when Craig Massoni struck the left field foul pole for his fourth home run of the year. Gateway's offense couldn't muster much more against Evansville starter Max Duval (3-0), who would go on to throw eight innings while allowing just four hits.

Evansville (10-6) responded quickly in the second inning after a fielder's choice allowed a run to tie the game. Later in the inning, Chris Riopedre laced a 2-RBI double to give the Otters a 3-1 advantage. 

Gateway starter Corey Kimes (1-1) kept working into the fifth, when Evansville would strike again. A pair of walks and an error led to Kimes giving up a run and being replaced by Dakota Smith with the bases loaded. Smith's third pitch to Chris Breen was then drilled into the right field lawn section for a grand slam.

Evansville tacked on two more runs against Smith before Gateway could mount a small rally in the ninth. Smith ultimately went 4.2 innings in relief while allowing just three runs.

Ben Waldrip and Vin Guglietti paced the Grizzlies' offense with two hits each. 

The Grizzlies finished their homestand 5-2 over the seven games. The team hits the road tomorrow for the first of a three-game series at Lake Erie. First pitch is at 6:05 p.m. CT.  

The game can be heard on the Grizzlies Radio Network, which airs Tuesday on 1400 AM KJFF and www.GatewayGrizzlies.com/Radio. Sam Levitt will call the action.