Grizzlies Blasted by Florence
Bullpen struggles badly, Gateway drops middle game of series
SAUGET, ILL. – The Gateway Grizzlies got an early lead against the Florence Y'alls on Saturday night at Arsenal BG Ballpark, but got burned badly by the home run ball as well as two-out runs down the stretch, losing the penultimate game of their home stand 18-6.
Gateway broke through for a 1-0 lead in the third inning when Sawyer Smith rocketed an RBI double into right-center field off of Florence left-hander Isaac Milburn (2-3). That was the only run they could collect off him in five frames, however, and after Florence got traffic on the bases in the first four innings against Grizzlies starter Ben Gregory but could not score, they broke through against the bullpen.
Alec Sparks (0-3) took the mound in the fifth, and surrendered back-to-back hits, followed by back-to-back RBI fielder's choices off the bats of Zade Richardson and Milo Rushford, putting the Y'alls ahead 2-1. With two outs in the inning, he got to two strikes on Garrett Broussard, but issued a walk, and then did the same against Dillon Baker before giving up a three-run short-porch home run, giving Florence a 5-1 lead. It was Baker's second-straight night with a home run to right field.
Things did not get better in the sixth. Claudio Galva surrendered a first-pitch solo shot, also to right field, to Marcus Brodil, and later in the inning with two men on base, two strikes, and two outs, Florence hit yet another three-run homer, this time with Brett Blomquist adding to the deficit and making the score 9-1. Two pitches later, Garrett Broussard cracked a solo homer to left field, making the score 10-1.
Florence would also score six more runs with two outs in the seventh off Jack Hoeymans, including four walks and one hit batter with the bases loaded. Gateway would plate five runs of their own in the bottom of the seventh with RBIs by Smith Dale Thomas, Bryson Horne, and Jose Alvarez, but it was not nearly enough to make a comeback.
The Grizzlies will look to bounce back in the rubber game of the series on Sunday night, June 14, at 5:30 p.m. CT. Xander Lovin will make the start for Gateway against right-hander Casey Bargo for Florence before the Grizzlies embark on their annual Atlantic Conference road trip.
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 2026 schedule can be found at frontierleague.com.