Gateway Grizzlies first baseman Peter Zimmermann hit three homers in the team’s win over the Florence Y’alls, Tuesday night at Grizzlies Ballpark in Sauget. (Photo: Thomas Grove)

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SAUGET, IL — After turning out a series of historic pitching performances, the Gateway Grizzlies returned home to Grizzlies Ballpark and got a historic performance at the plate from starting first baseman Peter Zimmermann.

The native St. Louisan and former Chaminade College Prep star tied the Frontier League record by bashing three home runs to lead Gateway to a 5-2 win over the Florence Y’alls.

The Grizzlies (52-32) have now won five straight games and lowered their magic number to clinch a spot in the Frontier League West Division playoffs to 3 — meaning any combination of Gateway wins or Schaumburg Boomers losses that total 3 will put the Grizzlies in the playoffs.

On Tuesday, Zimmermann was the star of the night. He homered in both of his first two at-bats.

First, in the bottom of the first, he launched a shot over the left field wall to make the score 1-0. Then, in the bottom of the fourth, Zimmermann went deep again. This time, over the center field wall. That dinger was a two-run shot and put the Grizzlies up 3-0.

Gateway pitcher Collin Sullivan had a no-hitter going through the first seven innings, but that ended when Florence’s Zade Richardson hit a solo homer in the top of the eighth and teammate Stephen Hrustich hit another one to make the score 3-2.

The game was suddenly tight again, but Zimmermann came up in the bottom of the eighth and launched another two-run homer to give the Grizzlies back their original three-run lead.

That third home run was Zimmermann’s 19th of the season and moved him into second place for most homers in the league this season. Joliet’s Matthew Warkentin has 20 homers this year. Zimmermann also has 58 RBIs this season, which is tied for seventh most in the league.

Armed with a 5-2 lead, Gateway closer Leoni De La Cruz struck out all three batters he faced in the ninth to pick up his 12th save of the season. Sullivan got the win and is now 8-5 on the season.

The Grizzlies will look to keep the win streak going on Wednesday, when they’ll host Game 2 of their series with the Y’alls at Grizzlies Ballpark. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m., with Lukas Veinbergs making the start for Gateway and Ty Good getting the ball for Florence.

Scoring Summary

InningsPlayV – H
Gateway Grizzlies  1stP. Zimmerman (17) homered, RBI.0 – 1
Gateway Grizzlies  4thP. Zimmerman (18) homered, 2 RBI; V. Castillo scored.0 – 3
Florence Y’alls  8thZ. Richardson (8) homered, RBI.1 – 3
Florence Y’alls  8thS. Hrustich (12) homered, RBI.2 – 3
Gateway Grizzlies  8thP. Zimmerman (19) homered, 2 RBI; V. Castillo scored.2 – 5

REMAINING GATEWAY GRIZZLIES BASEBALL GAMES

DateTimeAtOpponentLocation
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