Grizzlies Drop Series Finale to Otters

Shallenberger hits league-leading ninth homer in loss 

SAUGET, ILL. – The Grizzlies fell short in an attempt to sweep the Otters on Thursday night, losing 8-2 at Arsenal BG Ballpark to settle for a two-games-to-one series win.

Xander Lovin (0-2) got the start in the final game of the homestand and was dealt the brunt of his damage on one big swing of the bat yet again. After allowing a run each in the first and third frames of his outing, Lovin was one strike away from a scoreless inning in the fourth. But a single and a walk set up T.J. Salvaggio for a three-run home run to left field, putting the Otters up 5-0.

Mark Shallenberger loudly responded to Evansville's homer, hitting a towering shot himself out of the stadium to right, with his Frontier League-best ninth long ball of the season getting the Grizzlies within 5-2.

But that was the only offense Gateway could muster against Evansville starter Ben Petschke (1-0), who finished with eight innings pitched, allowing just four hits to keep the Grizzlies quiet. The Otters also tacked on three insurance runs in the seventh off Jake Burcham to take an 8-2 lead, eventually winning by the same score.

After a 4-2 home stand featuring back-to-back series wins, the Grizzlies will embark on a six-game road trip beginning on Friday, May 29, in Joliet against the Slammers. First pitch of the series opener is set for 6:35 p.m. CT.

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.