D.J. Stewart had three hits, including a home run, in the Gateway Grizzlies’ series sweep win over the Windy City ThunderBolts on Sunday. (Photo: Thomas Grove)

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WP: Teague Conrad (7-3) LP: Kevin Pindel (7-7)

CRESTWOOD, IL — The Gateway Grizzlies closed out a critical series sweep over the Windy City ThunderBolts on Sunday and they did it in dynamic fashion, as Gateway pounded Windy City for 10 hits and 11 runs in an 11-5 win at Ozinga Field.

The win moved to Grizzlies to a magic number to clinch a playoff spot down to four and they magic number of clinching home field advantage in the West Division Wild Card Game down to six. There are only 12 games left in the regular season and Gateway could clinch either or both postseason invites this week.

On Sunday, the Grizzlies got their third straight brilliant pitching performance by a starter. This time, it was rookie Teague Conrad, who pitched six shutout innings, allowing just one hit and two walks, while striking out seven to pick up his seventh win of the season.

Conrad, who starred at SIU-Edwardsville during the most recent college season, was coming off a complete-game shutout win this past Tuesday, and now has pitched 21 straight scoreless innings over his last three starts.

The Gateway offense was led by third baseman D.J. Stewart, who had three hits, including his 13th home run of the season, to go along with two RBIs and a run scored.

Fellow slugger Peter Zimmermann had four RBIs, including a bases-clearing double that helped the Grizzlies build their largest lead at 11-0. Abdiel Diaz and Victor Castillo both had RBI doubles, and Jose Alvarez had two hits and two runs scored as Gateway walloped Windy City.

The Crushers, who hadn’t scored a run the entire series, finally got on the board when they scored five runs in the bottom of the ninth inning. But that wasn’t anywhere near enough to stop Gateway’s dominance of the series.

With the weekend road trip concluded, the Grizzlies will be back at home for their next three games. Gateway will host the Florence Y’alls on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at Grizzlies Ballpark.

First pitch for all of those games will be at 6:30 p.m.

REMAINING GATEWAY GRIZZLIES BASEBALL GAMES

DateTimeAtOpponentLocation
August 20, 2024 (Tuesday)6:30 pmHomeFlorence Y’allsGrizzlies Ballpark / Sauget, IL
August 21, 2024 (Wednesday)6:30 pmHomeFlorence Y’allsGrizzlies Ballpark / Sauget, IL
August 22, 2024 (Thursday)6:30 pmHomeFlorence Y’allsGrizzlies Ballpark / Sauget, IL
August 23, 20246:35 pmAwayEvansville OttersBosse Field / Evansville, IL
August 24, 20246:35 pmAwayEvansville OttersBosse Field / Evansville, IL
August 25, 202412:35 pmAwayEvansville OttersBosse Field / Evansville, IL
August 27, 20245:35 pmAwayLake Erie CrushersCrushers Stadium / Avon, OH
August 28, 20245:35 pmAwayLake Erie CrushersCrushers Stadium / Avon, OH
August 29, 20245:35 pmAwayLake Erie CrushersCrushers Stadium / Avon, OH
August 30, 20246:30 pmHomeFlorence Y’allsGrizzlies Ballpark / Sauget, IL
August 31, 20246:30 pmHomeFlorence Y’allsGrizzlies Ballpark / Sauget, IL
September 1, 20246:05 pmHomeFlorence Y’allsGrizzlies Ballpark / Sauget, IL