On Tuesday night, the Gateway Grizzlies roared back from an early deficit, erupting for nine runs in the second inning to secure a 13-10 victory over the Schaumburg Boomers at Arsenal BG Ballpark. The game marked the start of a nine-game homestand and featured a standout performance by shortstop Abdiel Diaz, who drove in a career-best five RBIs in his triumphant return to the club.
Early Struggles for the Grizzlies
The game got off to a rocky start for Gateway and starter Lukas Veinbergs. In the first inning, Schaumburg’s Anthony Calarco smacked a two-out RBI double to give the Boomers a 1-0 lead. The second inning brought more trouble, as RBI hits by Andrew Sojka and Calarco pushed Schaumburg’s advantage to 4-0.
A Historic Second Inning
The Grizzlies’ bats came alive in the bottom of the second, turning the game on its head. Schaumburg starter Quinlan Wiley (2-1) struggled with his command, walking the first three batters to load the bases. Edwin Mateo capitalized, doubling in two runs to cut the deficit to 4-2. Cole Brannen followed with a game-tying two-run double to right field. After Brannen advanced to third on a flyout by Jose Alvarez, Gabe Holt’s sacrifice fly gave Gateway a 5-4 lead.
The inning was far from over. Victor Castillo kept the rally alive with an automatic double, and after D.J. Stewart was hit by a pitch and Mark Shallenberger walked, the bases were loaded again. Up stepped Diaz, who delivered the game’s defining moment—a grand slam down the right-field line, pushing the score to 9-4. The nine-run inning marked Gateway’s biggest offensive outburst of the season.
Boomers Fight Back
Schaumburg refused to go quietly, plating four runs in the third inning to chase Veinbergs from the game and narrow the gap to 9-8. However, Gateway responded in the bottom of the third, scoring twice on a wild pitch by Hambleton Oliver and a solo home run by Alvarez, extending their lead to 11-8.
The Boomers continued to threaten, scoring single runs in the fourth on an RBI groundout by Alec Craig and in the sixth on an RBI single by Satchell Norman. With the tying run on third and no outs in the sixth, reliever Matt Hickey escaped the jam, preserving Gateway’s lead.
Diaz and Castillo Seal the Deal
Diaz added his fifth RBI with a two-out single in the sixth, and Castillo launched a solo home run in the eighth to make it 13-10. Keegan Collett closed the door in the ninth, earning his third save of the season to end the slugfest in Sauget.
Looking Ahead
With four wins in their last five games, the Grizzlies are gaining momentum. They’ll look to clinch the series against Schaumburg on Wednesday, June 18, at Arsenal BG Ballpark. Claudio Galva takes the mound for Gateway against Boomers right-hander Derek Salata, with first pitch set for 6:30 p.m. CT.
The Grizzlies’ explosive offense, led by Diaz’s heroics, made Tuesday’s game a memorable start to their homestand. Fans can expect more excitement as Gateway continues their push in the Frontier League.
