GRIZZLIES SQUANDER QUALITY START IN LOSS TO THUNDERBOLTS

Sauget, Ill. - The Gateway Grizzlies never mustered enough offense on Friday night to back up a quality outing from Will Landsheft as Gateway fell 2-1 to the Windy City ThunderBolts at GCS Ballpark.  

Landsheft (4-6) went eight strong innings while giving up just two runs, both of which came in the span of just two pitches in the third inning. 

With the Grizzlies (32-34) leading 1-0, Kyle Wood singled to begin the frame and it was followed by Johnny Eierman's two-run homer to give Windy City a 2-1 advantage. Landsheft would allow just three baserunners during the rest of his start while striking out a season-high 10 batters. RHP Jordan Wellander threw a scoreless inning out of the bullpen.  

Windy City (32-32) also received a great outing from Clay Chapman (7-5). The righty went 8.1 innings while giving up just a lone run.

LISTEN: POSTGAME INTERVIEW WITH WILL LANDSHEFT

Gateway got the run across in the second as Blake Brown hit into an RBI groundout to bring in Craig Massoni. The play gave the Grizzlies a 1-0 edge for a moment before the T-Bolts grabbed a lead in the top half of the third.  

In the bottom half of the ninth, Chapman walked Brandon Thomas toCraig Massonig run on-base with nobody out. With one out, Craig Massoni laced a single to right field as Thomas went to third. RHP Brian Loconsole then replaced Chapman and recorded the final two outs to strand the tying and winning runs on the bases. Loconsole picked up his fourth save of the season.  

Massoni paced Gateway's quiet offensive evening with a trio of singles. 

The Grizzlies and ThunderBolts play the middle game of a three-game set at GCS Ballpark on Saturday evening. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. RHP Vince Molesky (3-5, 3.40 ERA) makes the start for Gateway while Windy City throws RHP Tyler Murphy (2-3, 3.81 ERA).  

The game can be heard on the Grizzlies Radio Network, which airs Saturday on 1400 AM KJFF, 94.3 FM/1570 AM WBGZ, and online at www.GatewayGrizzlies.com/Radio. Sam Levitt and Matt Sabados have the play-by-play call.