Missed Chances Abound in Grizzlies’ Extra-Inning Loss
Gateway strands 13 on base, drops series opener at Mississippi
PEARL, MS. – The Gateway Grizzlies stranded 13 runners on base on Tuesday night, proving critical in a one-run loss to the Mississippi Mud Monsters on Tuesday night at Trustmark Park by a final score of 4-3 on a walk-off RBI single by Davis Bradshaw.
Mississippi turned a leadoff walk issued in the first inning by Xander Lovin into the game's first run without the aid of a hit when Brayland Skinner stole second base, went to third on a throwing error, and scored on an RBI groundout by Kyle Booker to make it 1-0. The Grizzlies' offense was able to tie the score at 1-1 in the top of the third inning on an RBI single by Jose Alvarez, but stranded two runners on in that frame, and gave the run back plus one in the bottom of the frame to put the Mud Monsters back ahead 3-1.
Gateway would also strand three more runners on base in the fourth and fifth innings combined before putting together a rally in the sixth. Mark Shallenberger was hit by a pitch in his return to the lineup after missing eight games, and Sawyer Smith and Edwin Mateo followed with singles to load the bases for Cole Brannen, who came through with an RBI double scorched down the first base line off the glove of Charlie Updegrave, knotting the score at 3-3.
But with men on second and third base and one out, Gateway could not take the lead in that inning, leaving two more on base. In the later innings, both bullpens held the line, and in the top of the ninth, Brannen led off with a walk, but was caught stealing representing the lead run. With two outs and the bases empty, Gateway would get three straight runners on base with two outs on singles by Alvarez and Abdiel Diaz, plus a walk by D.J. Stewart, but Gabe Holt popped out to first base for the final out, leaving three on base to run the tally to 11 for the contest overall.
After Francis Peguero sent the game to extra innings with a scoreless ninth, a wild pitch by Chris Barraza (1-1) moved Holt, the lead run, to third base with no outs in the International Tiebreaker situation. But yet again the Grizzlies could not come up with the clutch hit to take the lead, as Barraza struck out the side, stranding a pair to make it 13 for the game by the Grizzlies' offense. After a strikeout by Keegan Collett (2-3) for the first out in the bottom half, Bradshaw singled to center field to win the game for Mississippi despite getting out-hit by the Grizzlies nine to five in the game.
Gateway will face a quick turnaround for the middle game of the series against the Mud Monsters, taking the field at 11:00 a.m. CT back at Trustmark Park.
The Gateway Grizzlies are a professional baseball team, located a mere 10 minutes from downtown St. Louis in Sauget, Illinois. The Grizzlies offer baseball fans affordable, family fun at Arsenal BG Ballpark with a great view of the St. Louis skyline. They have also won two Frontier League Organization of the Year Awards, four West Division titles, and the 2003 Frontier League Championship. For tickets or general information, please visit gatewaygrizzlies.com or call (618) 337-3000.
The Frontier League debuted in 1993, and is the largest of the Major League Baseball Partner Leagues, featuring teams stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River, and from the Ohio River to the St. Lawrence Seaway. More information and the complete 2025 schedule can be found at frontierleague.com.