TRAVERSE CITY, MI— The Gateway Grizzlies exploded for seven runs in a wild fifth inning as they beat the Traverse City Beach Bums in front of 2,504 fans at Wuerfel Park by a score of 10-3.
With the Grizzlies leading 2-0 in the fifth inning, Gateway struck for seven runs, the most the Beach Bums have given up in a single inning in 2011. Grizzlies shortstop Ryan Khoury lined a two run single into center field and left fielder David Phillips delievered his second double of the inning to drive home three runs and give Gateway a 9-0 lead.
The Beach Bums scored three runs in the eighth, beginning with an RBI-double down the first base line from shortstop Hector Bernal to put the Beach Bums on the board and make the score 9-1. After first baseman Chase Burch drew a bases loaded walk, left fielder J.T. Hall bounced into a double play to score Bernal and make it a 9-3 contest.
In the ninth, Traverse City designated hitter Jason Codiroli came on to pitch for the first time in 2011. It was the first time this season that a Beach Bums position player made an appearance on the mound. Codiroli allowed an unearned run on an RBI-single by Gateway designated hitter Charlie Lisk, but pitched well in limited action on the mound.
The Beach Bums fall to 7-11 with the loss, while the Grizzlies improve their record to 11-7 in 2011.
