Grizzlies Shut Out Again by Fayetteville

7/5/08

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Despite seven solid innings from starter Chris Kupillas (Central Michigan), the Grizzlies were shut out again by the Fayetteville SwampDogs 3-0, and had the bases loaded in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings, each with less than two outs.

Gastonia and Fayetteville were scoreless until the top of the fifth inning when the SwampDogs took the lead, Brett Sowers (Yavapai J.C.) worked the leadoff walk and after stealing second advanced to third base on a fielder's choice by Carter Jurica (Kansas State). A bunt single up the third baseline by Conner Crumbless (Emproia State) would score Sowers with the eventual winning run and gave the SwampDogs a 1-0 lead.

The Grizzlies had their chances, in the seventh inning Josh Collazo (Oklahoma Baptist) singled and advanced to second on a Ty Nelson (Tennessee-Martin) single. After a Chester Wilson pop out to the Catcher chris Schaffer (N.C. State), Bryant Lopez (North Central Texas) was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out. SwampDogs starting Pitcher Aaron Martin (Illinois) was able to get out of the bases loaded jam by getting Chad Dawkins to ground into a double play to the shortstop Connor Crumbliss.

Fayetteville would score two insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, Brett Sowers again led off the inning with a walk and moved over to second on a sacrifice bunt by Chris Schaffer. Carter Jurica's single to right field scored Sowers and gave Fayetteville a 2-0 lead, Jurica would score the SwampDogs' third run on an RBI single by Kevin Hussey (Utah).

Kupillas went seven innings, allowing nine hits and allowing three runs with six strikeouts.

In each of the eighth and ninth inning the Grizzlies would load the bases with no outs and could not score. In the eighth inning with the bases loaded reliever Jeff Ibarra (Lee) got Keleb Herren (Oklahoma) to strike out before getting a double play ball from Josh Collazo. In the ninth with the bases loaded closer Parker Bangs (South Carolina) got a shallow fly out to right field before getting his college teammate Scott Wingo to ground into a game ending double play to short.

The Grizzlies (2-3) will travel to Forest City (0-4) on Tuesday to battle the Owls at McNair field.

Road Woes Continues As Grizzlies Fall in Wilson

7/4/08

WILSON, N.C. -The Grizzlies had a solid starting performance from Brent Davis (Saint Edwards) but could not score runs as the Wilson Tobs won 6-2.

Wilson scored the first runs of the ballgame in the bottom of the fourth inning, as Derek Simmons (Georgia State) began the inning with a leadoff walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Packy Elkins (Belmont). An RBI triple by Chris McGhee (Louisiana State) would score Simmons to make it a 1-0 game. McGhee would score on a bunt by Cam Freeman (East Carolina) which gave the Tobs a 2-0 lead.

Gastonia would get a run back in the top of the fifth inning as Payden Houser (Tusculum) singled and advanced to third base on a throwing error by pitcher Brian Moran (North Carolina). Chad Dawkins (Montreat) would ground into a double play that would score Houser and cut the lead to 2-1.

The Tobs would add two more runs in the seventh inning when Matt Sanders (Clemson) singled to lead off the inning. Justin Parks' (West Virginia) single would move Sanders to left and a walk to Derek Simmons would load the bases with two outs. Sanders and Parks would score on a two run single by Packy Elkins to extend the lead to 4-1.

Grizzlies’ starter Brent Davis went 6.2 innings, allowing 4 runs all earned on nine hits and four strikeouts.

The Grizzlies would not go quietly as with one out in the top of the eighth inning Scott Wingo (South Carolina) hit a triple to right field off of the wall, and scored on an RBI single by Brandon Casamassima (Marshall) to cut the lead to 2.

The Wilson Tobs got two runs off of Grizzlies reliever Brian Greene (Montreat) in their half of the eighth. Cam Freeman led off with a single and would move to second on a fielder's choice. Matt Sanders (Clemson) hit an RBI single to score Freeman, and would come around to score the Tobs 6th run on Justin Park's two out single to give Wilson a 6-2 lead.

The Grizzlies (2-2) will travel to Fayetteville to battle the SwampDogs Saturday night at 7 PM.

Grizzlies Continue Hot Streak at Home

7/3/08

GASTONIA, N.C. - 3355 fans set a new Grizzlies attendance record, and they saw the Grizzlies defeat their rival Forest City Owls 9-5 at Sims Legion Park on Thursday night. Bryant Lopez scored four runs in the winning effort.

The Owls scored first in the top of the first inning as Wade Moore (N.C. State) began the game with a walk, and after stealing second base scored on a Kevin Mahoney (Canisius) double to give the Owls a 1-0 lead. After stealing second base Mahoney scored on an RBI single by Kevin Maillioux (Canisius) to give the Owls a 2-0 lead.

The lead would be quickly erased as Kyle Behrendt (Wofford) reached on a fielder’s choice, and promptly stole second. On the slide Behrendt's left arm was spiked by the shortstop Taylor Black (Spartanburg Methodist), Behrendt would end up leaving the game and would go to the hospital. After meeting with an orthopedic specialist it was determined that he did not break any bones but the hand and arm will be reexamined on Monday.

Bryant Lopez (North Central Texas) would come into the game as the pinch runner and moved to third after back to back walks to Daniel Ford (Lenoir-Rhyne) and Brandon Casamassima (Marshall) to load the bases. Kaleb Herren (Oklahoma) hit a single up the middle to score Lopez and cut the deficit to 2-1. Ford would score on a Josh Collazo (Oklahoma Baptist) sacrifice fly to tie the game at 2.

The Grizzlies would put two more runs on the board in the bottom of the second inning with two outs. Chad Dawkins (Montreat) walked and stole second and third base before being knocked in by a Bryant Lopez bunt single up the first base line to give the Grizzlies a 3-2 lead. Lopez would later score on an RBI single by Daniel Ford to extend the lead to 4-2.

Forest City would tie the game up in the top of the third inning, Kevin Mahoney led off the inning with a home run to right field to cut the lead to 4-3, Rich Racobaldo (Mount Olive) reached on a fielding error by Grizzlies shortstop Scott Wingo (South Carolina) and advanced to third on a single by Kevin Maillioux (Canisius). Rocobaldo would later score on a fielder's choice by Thomas Morrison (Columbus State) to tie the game at 4.

The Grizzlies would pull ahead for good in the bottom of the fourth inning when Bryant Lopez worked a two out walk, and after stealing second came around to score on a Daniel Ford RBI double to give the Grizzlies the 5-4 lead.

Gastonia struck for three more in the bottom of the sixth inning, Payden Houser (Tusculum) led off with a single, moved over to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Scott Wingo and after a Chad Dawkins walk Bryant Lopez reached on an error by reliever Zane Petty (Francis Marion) to load the bases. Houser and Dawkins would score on a two-run single by Daniel Ford to give the Grizzlies a 7-4 lead. Lopez would later score on a Brandan Casamassima single to give Gastonia an 8-4 lead.

In the bottom of the seventh inning Ty Nelson (Tennessee-Martin) led off with a single, he would move to third base on a two base sacrifice bunt by Payden Houser and scored on an RBI single to Scott Wingo to give the Grizzlies a 9-4 lead.

The Owls cut the lead to four in the top of the eighth inning when Kevin Maillioux hit a solo home run to right field to make it a 9-5 ballgame, but that would be the last run scored on the night.

Gastonia (2-1) will travel to Wilson, first pitch at 7:05.

Kyle Behrendt’s hitting streak ended at 11 games after being pulled in the home half of the first inning.

Bryant Lopez 1-2 with 4 runs scored.

Daniel Ford 3-4 with 4 RBIs.

Grizzlies Fall in Martinsville 4-3

7/2/08

MARTINSVILLE, VA -The Grizzlies road woes continued Wednesday night as the bullpen could not hold a 3-1 lead, the Grizzlies fell 4-3 to the Martinsville Mustangs.

The Grizzlies scored first in the top of the first inning with two outs Daniel Ford (Lenoir-Rhyne) walked and scored on a Josh Collazo (Oklahoma Baptist) double to give the Grizzlies a 1-0 lead, Collazo would then score on a Chester Wilson (Southern Utah) single to extend the lead to 2-0.

In the second inning Kyle Behrendt (Wofford) extended his hitting streak to ten games with a single to right field, he would later score on a Josh Collazo RBI fielder's choice to give the Grizzlies a 3-1 lead.

In the bottom of the fifth inning the Mustangs got to Grizzlies starter Tyler Musselwhite (South Carolina), Ryan LaPensee (Wayne State) reached on a fielder’s choice and would score on a fielding error by first baseman Chester Wilson, cutting the lead to 3-1. Musselwhite threw 35 pitches in the inning and stranded the bases loaded for the second time in the ball game.

Musselwhite recorded eight strike outs, 1 run that was unearned in five innings of work.

The floodgates opened in the bottom of the sixth inning against reliever Brian Greene (Montreat), as the Mustangs would send 7 batters to the plate. With one out Zach Boyette (Barton College) singled and after stealing second base scored on an RBI triple by Jeff Butler (Lafayette) to left-center field making it a 3-2 ballgame. Butler would score on a bunt single by Ryan LaPensee to tie the game at 3. LaPensee would later score on a single by Ryan Self (East Tennessee State) which gave the Mustangs a 4-3 lead.

Keith Para came in relief for the Grizzlies and recorded two strike outs in two innings of work alowing one hit and no runs.

The Grizzlies (1-1) will host Forest City (0-2) on Thurssday at 7 PM.

Grizzlies Begin Second Half of CPL Season with a Win

7/1/08

GASTONIA, N.C. -A tenth inning walk-off RBI single by Brandon Casamassima helped lead the Grizzlies over the Forest City Owls 8-7 on Tuesday afternoon at Sims Legion Park.

Forest City struck for three runs in the top of the first inning when Kevin Mahoney (Canisius) hit a three run home run to right-center field, scoring Wade Moore (N.C. State) and Chris Nadeau (Ohio) and gave Forest City a 3-0 lead.

Gastonia would begin to chip away at the lead, with one out in the bottom of the first inning Kyle Behrendt (Wofford) continued his red hot ways with a single, he would later score on a Brandon Casamassima (Marshall) single to cut the lead to 3-1. In the bottom of the second inning Kyle Behrendt's double to left centerfield scored Chester Wilson (Southern Utah) and Chad Dawkins (Montreat) which tied the game up at 3.

Forest City would pull ahead in the top of the fourth inning, as Rich Racobaldo (Mt. Olive College) doubled and scored on a Brian Fogle (Erskine) single  to give the Owls a 4-3 lead, the fifth Owls run would score when Thomas Morrison (Columbus State) scored on a Taylor Black (Spartanburg Methodist) single that went through the left-hand side of the infield and gave the Owls a 5-3 lead.

Gastonia got those two runs back in the bottom of the sixth inning with two outs Scott Wingo (South Carolina) reached on a drag bunt single, moved over to third after back to back walks to Dawkins and Behrendt. With the bases loaded Daniel Ford (Lenoir-Rhyne) hit a two run single to right field to score Wingo and Dawkins and tie the game up at 5.

The Owls would again gain the lead in the top of the eighth inning when Rich Racobaldo singled through the left-hand side of the infield and after stealing second advanced to third on a throwing error by Chris Henderson. Rocobaldo would score on a wild pitch thrown by Derek Ward (Louisiana at Monroe) and gave the Owls a 6-5 lead.

The Grizzlies gained their first lead in the bottom of the eighth inning when Bryant Lopez (North Central Texas) singled and advanced to second base after Scott Wingo was hit with a pitch. Both runners would advance when Chad Dawkins walked to load the bases. Kyle Behrendt's RBI single up the middle scored Lopez to tie the game at 6. The Grizzlies took the lead when Wingo scored on a fielder’s choice by Daniel Ford.

The Owls tied the game in the top of the ninth inning when Chris Nadeau singled and reached third base on a two base fielding error by Josh Collazo. Nadeau would score on a Sacrifice fly to center field in which Chad Dawkins made an incredible running catch which only allowed Nadeau to score.

Grizzlies’ reliever Derek Ward looked good, going three innings striking out six batters and only allowing 1 hit and an unearned run.

Chad Dawkins led off the bottom of the tenth inning with a single and after stealing second base moved to third on a wild pitch. Forest City would intentionally walk Daniel Ford and reliever Kyle Jones (Mt. Olive College) got Josh Collazo (Oklahoma Baptist) to fly out to right field. With two-outs Brandon Casamassima hit a single down the third base line that Kevin Mahoney could not get to which scored Dawkins with the winning run.

The Grizzlies (1-0) will travel to Martinsville to face the Mustangs Wednesday night at 7:20 PM.

Brandon Casamassima 2-5 with 2 RBI including the game winning walk off RBI.

Kyle Behrendt (3-5) with 3 RBIs, extending his hitting streak to 10 games.

Fayetteville Swampdogs shutout Grizzlies 8-0

6/30/08

GASTONIA, N.C. – The Gastonia Grizzlies were shutout for the first time in 2008, as the Fayetteville Swampdogs ended the Grizzlies home winning streak on Monday by a score of 8-0.

The Swampdogs scored their first run in the top of the first inning when leadoff hitter Conner Crumbliss (Emporia State) doubled; he would advance to third on a single by Jon Selby (California University of Pennsylvania). Crumbliss would score when Chris Kupillas' (Central Michigan) pickoff attempt resulted in an error, and the Swampdogs were on top 1-0.

In the top of the fourth inning the Swampdogs struck for another run, Nick Fleece (Texas A&M) worked a one out walk, and moved to second on a Jason King (Kansas State) single. Chris Schaffer's (N.C. State) RBI single scored Fleece from second and gave Fayetteville a 2-0 lead.

Chris Kupillas in his first start of the season went four innings, striking out five while allowing two runs, one of which was earned.

The wheels came off in the top of the sixth inning off of reliever Ian Waldron (Arizona Western) as he could not retire a batter in his second inning of work. Nick Fleece led off the inning with a single and moved to second on a Jason King single. Carter Jurica (Kansas State) then walked on four pitches to load the bases. Waldron then hit Chris Schaffer with a pitch to score Fleece with the Swampdogs third run. King would score and the batters would move up on a wild pitch by Waldron. Conner Crumbliss' two run double scored Jurica and Schaffer and the Swampdogs had a 6-0 lead.

The Swampdogs would score another run in each of the seventh and eighth innings. Chris Schaffer hit a solo homerun to left field in the seventh inning and Alex Vertcnik (mount Olive) singled and later scored on Nick Fleece's sacrifice fly to give the Swampdogs an 8-0 lead.

The Grizzlies (9-17) will host the first half CPL West Champion Forest City Owls (17-10) on Tuesday afternoon at 12 PM.

Grizzlies Win Fifth Straight at Sims Legion Park

6/29/08

GASTONIA, N.C. – The Grizzlies worked their comeback magic to erase 6-1 and 7-6 deficits on the road to a 10-7 victory. Kyle Behrendt (Wofford) went 4-5 with 4 RBI singles and Bryant Lopez (North Central Texas) scored four runs.

The HiToms began the scoring in the second inning when Chris McGuiness (Citadel) doubled, he would score on a fielding error by Bryant Lopez to give the HiToms a 1-0 lead. CJ Beatty (North Carolina A&T) reached on the Lopez error and would score on an RBI Single by Blake Forsythe (Tennessee) to give the HiToms a 2-0 lead.

The Grizzlies got a run back in the bottom of the third inning after Bryant Lopez worked a walk, only the second walk HiToms starting pitcher John Anderson (Louisiana Tech) had given up on the season, he moved to second after Scott Wingo (South Carolina) was hit by a pitch. With two outs, Kyle Behrendt singled to score Lopez and cut the lead to 2-1.

Thomasville answered with two runs of their own in the fourth inning extending the lead to 4-1. Chris McGuiness led off the inning with a single and he scored on a 2-run home run by Jeff Arnold (Louisville) to left field to give the HiToms a 4-1 lead.

The lead would be extended in the fifth inning as Thomasville sent eight batters to the plate. Jason Wallace (Appalachian State) led off the inning with a walk and moved over to second base on a wild pitch. Two batters later Wallace's Appalachian teammate Wes Hobson worked a walk to put two runners on. Wallace would score on a Sonny Meade (Citadel) single and Hobson scored the HiToms' sixth run on an RBI single by CJ Beatty and Thomasville had a 6-1 lead.

Gastonia's bats then came alive in the fifth inning and chased HiToms starter John Anderson from the game. Bryant Lopez led off the inning with a bunt single, advanced to third on a single by Scott Wingo to put runners on the corners with no outs. Lopez would score on a Chad Dawkins'(Montreat)RBI fielder’s choice to cut the lead to 6-2. Kyle Behrendt followed with an RBI single to score Wingo and close the gap to 6-3, Behrendt would score on a Josh Collazo (Oklahoma Baptist) single making it a 6-4 ballgame.

Joey Stevens (Eastern Kentucky) led off the sixth inning with a double and moved to third on a single by Bryant Lopez. Stevens would later score on a RBI single by Dawkins and Lopez scored on a RBI single by Behrendt, to tie the game at 6. The Grizzlies would load up the bases before John Collazo hit into an inning ending double play.

The HiToms regained the lead in the top of the seventh inning when Chris McGuiness doubled and moved to third on a CJ Beatty sacrifice bunt. McGuiness would give the HiToms a 7-6 lead on a RBI double by Jeff Arnold, that would be the only run the Grizzlies bullpen would allow. Brian Greene (Montreat) allowed three hits with a strikeout in two and a third innings of work.

Gastonia would take the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning with five runs. Brandon Casamassima (Marshall) led off the inning with a single and was thrown out on a fielder’s choice by Kaleb Herren (Oklahoma), Herren would move to second base on a wild pitch. After a Joey Stevens walk, Bryant Lopez dropped his second bunt single to load the bases. Scott Wingo hit a single to tie the game at 7. With the runners off, Chad Dawkins hit a 3-run double to give the Grizzlies a 10-7 lead, Dawkins would score on Behrendt's fourth RBI single of the day, to give the Grizzlies an 11-7 lead.

Derek Ward (Louisiana at Monroe) continued to look good out of the bullpen, going two perfect innings while striking out a batter, to protect the victory.

The Grizzlies (9-16) will play their last game of the first half against the Fayetteville Swampdogs Monday at 7 PM.

Kyle Behrendt 4-5 with 4 RBI singles

Bryant Lopez 3-4 with 4 Runs Scored

Chad Dawkins 2-5 with 5 RBIs

4 Run 2nd inning leads HiToms over Grizzlies

6/27/08

GASTONIA, N.C. – The Grizzlies winning streak at Finch Field ended Friday night as the HiToms scored four runs in the second inning leading them to a 7-3 victory.

The Grizzlies had a lead after the top of the first inning when Kyle Behrendt (Wofford) singled, stole second base and scored on a Josh Collazo (Oklahoma Baptist) single to give the Grizzlies a 1-0 lead.

The lead would be short lived as in the bottom of the first Michael Hornsby (Tennessee) singled and moved to second base on a fielder’s choice. Sonny Meade (The Citadel) would knock him in with an RBI single to tie the game at 1.

The HiToms would send seven men to the plate in the bottom of the second inning, highlighted by a Chris McGuiness (The Citadel)  two run home run to right field. Thomasville scored four in the inning to take a 5-1 lead.

Gastonia cut the lead to two with a two run sixth inning. Daniel Ford (Lenoir-Rhyne) singled and moved to third on a Josh Collazo single. Ford would score on a Kaleb Herren (Oklahoma) fielder’s choice to cut the lead to 5-2. Herren would later score on a Chester Wilson (Southern Utah) double, making it a 5-3 game. Wilson was later thrown out at the plate trying to score on Joey Steven’s (Eastern Kentucky) single to centerfield.

Thomasville would score a run in each of the sixth and seventh innings to pull ahead 7-3.

The Grizzlies (8-16) will travel to Columbia tomorrow at 7 PM.

Grizzlies Fall 6-1 in Asheboro

6/25/08

Asheboro, N.C. – The Grizzlies looked to extend the Asheboro Copperheads losing streak to 10, but the Copperheads struck for five in the bottom of the first leading Asheboro to a 6-1 victory.

In the bottom of the first inning, after Kaleb Herren (Oklahoma) got Ben Bunting to pop out, he hit Daniel Cooke (Gardner-Webb) with a pitch. After Cooke stole second, Greg Holt (North Carolina) collected his second RBI of the season with a RBI double to right to give the Copperheads an early 1-0 lead. Daniel Wagner then collected his second home run of the season, and second in two nights against Gastonia, which scored Cooke and gave Asheboro a 3-0 lead. After a ground out, Matt Ryan (Tulane) singled and scored on a Jeff Ussery (Georgia Tech) triple extending the lead to 4-0. The fifth run would come around when Ussery scored on a wild pitch.

The Copperheads would add a run in the fourth inning when Daniel Cooke walked and later came around to score on a sacrifice fly to left by Daniel Wagner to push the lead to 5-0.

The lone Grizzly run came in the top of the eighth inning when Joey Stevens (Eastern Kentucky) singled. Chester Wilson (Southern Utah) followed with a single to right field, the relay throw went wild and both men advanced a base. Stevens would then score on a wild pitch to cut the lead to 5-1.

A positive note for the Grizzlies was their bullpen looked good, Brian Greene (Montreat), Chris Henderson (Lenoir-Rhyne), and Derek Ward (Louisiana at Monroe) combined to throw four innings of shutout ball, only allowing six base runners while striking out five.

The Grizzlies (8-15) will host the Martinsville Mustangs (9-13) Thursday night at 7 PM

Grizzlies win 6-4 on a Joey Stevens Walk-Off Hit

6/24/08

GASTONIA, N.C. – Joey Stevens collected his first RBI on the season to complete the Grizzlies three run rally in the bottom of the ninth, as the Grizzlies defeated the Asheboro Copperheads 4-3.

The Grizzlies twice fell behind by two runs but the “Cardiac Kids” would not give up. In the top of the first, Daniel Cooke (Gardner-Webb) reached on an error by Brandon Casamassima (Marshall). Cooke would come around to score on Daniel Wagner’s first home run of the season to right-center field to give the Copperheads an early 2-0 lead.

After that point Grizzlies starter Brent Davis (Saint Edwards) only allowed four base runners,

while striking out six in six innings of work.

The Grizzlies got their first run in the bottom of the sixth inning when Griffin Benedict (Georgia Southern) ended Alex Fairweather’s (Catawba) no-hit bid with a solo home run to right-center field to cut the lead to 2-1.

The Copperheads extended the lead back to two in the top of the eighth inning when Chris Ahearn (Catawba) worked a leadoff walk off of reliever Tommy Roebuck (Lamar) to lead off the inning. Ahearn would move over to second on a Daniel Cook sacrifice bunt and over to third on a fielder’s choice. Greg Holt (North Carolina) recorded his first CPL hit and RBI with a hit to right which scored Ahearn and give the Copperheads a 3-1 lead.

In the bottom of the ninth inning Kyle Behrendt (Wofford) continued his hot ways leading off the inning with a single. Daniel Ford (Lenoir-Rhyne) then hit a ground ball to the second baseman Daniel Wagner, (Belmont) which Wagner could not handle and put two men on with no outs.

The Copperheads would bring in their closer Carson McLean, (UNC-Asheville) and he promptly walked his first batter Josh Collazo (Oklahoma Baptist) on four pitches to load the bases. Brandon Casamassima hit a ground ball to Chris Ahearn at short, scoring Behrendt, but the double play attempt resulted in a wild throw by second baseman Daniel Wagner which allowed Ford to score and tie the game at 3.

Joey Stevens (Eastern Kentucky) recorded his first RBI on the season with a hit down the third base line to score Brandon Casamassima with the winning run.

The Grizzlies (8-14) will travel to Asheboro (9-13) Wednesday for a game at 7PM, as the Grizzlies sit 1 game behind Asheboro for third place in the Western Division.

Joey Stevens' hit scored the winning run in the bottom of the 9th. It was Steven's first RBI.

Grizzlies Lose Second Straight Heartbreaker 6-4.

6/23/08

FOREST CITY , N.C. . –The Gastonia Grizzlies were up by two with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, and a Brian Greene (Montreat) pitch to Jordan Petraitis just hung and Petraitis hit the ball for a 3-run walk off home run giving the Owls a 6-4 win over the Grizzlies.

Gastonia took a 1-0 lead after the top half of the first inning when Chad Dawkings (Montreat) singled, reached second on a Kyle Behrendt (Wofford) walk, and scored on a Brandon Casamassima (Marshall) sacrifice fly to give Gastonia a 1-0 lead.

The Owls would respond with a run of their own in each of the second and third innings to give them a 2-1 lead. In the second inning Will Skinner (Walters State) walked and scored on a Bryan Fogle (Erskine) triple to tie the game. In the third Wade Moore (NC State) singled, stole second, and advanced to third on a Jordan Petraitis (Miami of Ohio) single. Moore would score to give the Owls a 2-1 lead on a fielder’s choice.

Chad Dawkins scored the Grizzlies second run in the top half of the fifth inning with a walk, and he advanced to second on a Kyle Behrendt walk, and reached third when he and Behrendt executed a double steal. Dawkins would plate the Grizzlies second run on Kaleb Herren’s (Oklahoma) sacrifice fly to right to make it a 2-2 game.

Forest City took the lead back in the bottom of the sixth inning when Kevin Mailloux (Canisus) singled and scored on a Logan Bland (Western Carolina) single to give the Owls a 3-2 lead.

Gastonia plated two runs in the top of the second inning; Payden Houser (Tusculum) was hit by a pitch and Scott Wingo (South Carolina) walked. Houser would come around to score on a wild pitch by reliever Stephen McCormick and Wingo scored on a sacrifice fly by Kyle Behrendt to give the Grizzlies a 4-3 lead.

The lead would hold until the ninth inning when reliever Brian Greene, who had retired four straight batters, hit the lead-off hitter Logan Bland, pinch runner Taylor Black (Spartanburg Methodist) advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt laid down by Chris Nadeau (Ohio), which was followed by a Wade Moore walk. Jordan Petraitis then on the first pitch hit a three-run home run to give the Owls the 6-4 walk off win.

The Grizzlies (7-14) will host the Asheboro Copperheads (9-12) Tuesday at 7:05 PM.

Grizzlies Lose Heartbreaker 9-8 in Extra Innings.

6/21/08

MARTINSVILLE, VA . – The Grizzlies scored two runs in the top of the tenth inning, but was not enough as Martinsville tied it in the bottom half and scored the winning run on an error by Scott Wingo (South Carolina) in the eleventh, to lose 9-8.

The Grizzlies would overcome an early five run deficit after Grizzlies starter Brad Kledzik (Wake Forest) gave up a home run in the second and third innings. Sam Palace (Florida Tech) had a two-run home run in the second inning and Ryan Self (East Tennessee State) had a three-run home run in the third to give the Martinsville Mustangs an early 5-0 lead.

The Grizzlies would chip away with two runs of their own in the fifth inning. Payden Houser (Tusculum) singled to lead off the fifth and scored on a Scott Wingo double, to cut the lead to 5-1. Wingo would make it a 5-2 game when he scored on Brian Dawkins’ (Montreat) fielder’s choice.

The Grizzlies would gain their first lead in the sixth inning, Brandon Casamassima (Marshall) singled and stole second base. After a Griffin Benedict (Georgia Southern) walk, Houser hit a single to score Casamassima  cutting the deficit to 5-3. Wingo would tie the game with a triple that just stayed fair down the right-field line and went into the right field corner which scored Benedict and Casamassima. Wingo would score on a passed ball to give the Grizzlies a 6-5 lead.

The lead would be erased in the bottom of the seventh when reliever Derek Ward (Louisiana at Monroe) walked the leadoff batter Matt Schneider (Erskine), he would score on a Ryan LaPensee (Wayne State) triple to tie the game at 6.

The Grizzlies would take their second lead of the game in the top of the tenth inning when Kyle Behrendt (Wofford) led off with a walk, Kaleb Herren (Oklahoma) would be hit by a pitch and a Brandon Casamassima single would load the bases. Josh Collazo (Oklahoma Baptist) hit a RBI single to score Behrendt and advance Herren and Casamassima to give the Grizzlies a 7-6 lead. Herren would score on a  Benedict grounded out to second, giving the Grizzlies an 8-6 advantage.

Grizzlies closer Chris Kupillas (Central Michigan) walked the leadoff batter Sam Palace, Chas Byrne (East Tennessee State) would hit a single to move pinch runner Justin Clark (Patrick Henry C.C.) to second. Jeff Butler (Lafayette) worked a walk which loaded the bases. Bucky Smith (Kennesaw State) hit a two-run double to score Clark and Butler and tie the game at 8. Matt Schneider (Erskine) then hit a comebacker off of Kupillas which saved a run, Kupillas would be shaken up but would get out of the inning when Ryan Self grounded out to second.

In the eleventh, Martinsville worked a leadoff walk from LaPensee and would move him to second on a fielder’s choice. With two outs, Keith Para (Montreat) hit JD Davidson (Florida Tech) with the pitch, third time Davidson was hit on the night, to put two runners on. Zach Boyettte (Barton College) then hit a chopper that shortstop Scott Wingo could not handle which allowed LaPensee to score the winning run and give the Mustangs a 9-8 victory.

The Grizzlies (7-13) travel to Forest City (13-7) on Monday at 7 PM.

Behrendt Leads Charge Again, as Grizzlies Beat Forest City 5-4.

6/20/08

GASTONIA, N.C. – Kyle Behrendt (Wofford) continued his hot streak going 3-3 and scoring two runs to help the Grizzlies defeat the Forest City Owls 5-4.

The Owls struck first in the top of the fourth inning when Kevin Mailloux (Canisius) walked and scored on a Brian Fogle (Erskine) double to give the Owls a 1-0 lead.

The Grizzlies would get that run back in the bottom of the fourth when Kyle Behrendt doubled and would tie the game at 1 on a Daniel Ford (Lenoir-Rhyne) sacrifice fly.

In the top of the fifth inning Wade Moore (N.C. State) hit his first home run on the season to right field to give the Owls a 2-1 lead.

Behrendt was able to tie the game in the sixth inning when he singled, advanced to third on a Ford single, and scored on a wild pitch which evened the game at 2.

Walks would come back to hurt Tyler Musselwhite (South Carolina) as both walks scored in the seventh inning, giving the Owls a 4-2 lead.

Musselwhite on the night went seven innings, allowing four runs, three earned, and ten strike outs to earn his second win on the season.

Momentum would turn the Grizzlies way in the bottom of the seventh inning as the Grizzlies sent nine men to the plate, and took advantage of mistakes. Josh Collazo (Oklahoma Baptist) walked and scored on a passed ball. Peyden Houser (Tusculum) reached on a 5-4 fielder’s choice and scored on a passed ball. Bryant Lopez (North Central Texas) then walked, he would score after reliever Heath Hembree (South Carolina) walked the next three batters, the Grizzlies led 5-4.  

In top of the eighth, two Owls were on base with one out and reliever Brian Greene (Montreat) was able to get Wade Moore and Jordan Petraitis (Miami of Ohio) to fly out to Behrendt. The fly ball from Petraitis went into the Grizzlies bullpen and Behrendt slid next to the mound to make the highlight reel catch.

"That was huge," said Grizzlies coach Eli Benefield. "That kept our momentum going for sure."

Chris Kupillas (Central Michigan) atoned for his blown save last time Tyler Musselwhite started, with a strike out in the ninth inning earning his fourth save.

The Grizzlies 7-12 travel to Martinsville to face the Mustangs (7-11) on Saturday night at 7:30 PM.

Kyle Behrendt, 3-3 with two runs, has reached base in his last seven plate appearances.

Behrendt's four runs lead Grizzlies Charge.

6/19/08

GASTONIA, NC – Kyle Behrendt (Wofford) scored four times as the Grizzlies defeated the Outer Banks Daredevils 11-3 on Thursday night at Sims Legion Park.

1154 fans were treated to good Grizzlies pitching and Gastonia taking advantages of miscues, it was the largest Thursday night crowd of the year.

Gastonia took an early lead in the bottom of the first inning when Kyle Behrendt singled, stole second base and advanced to third on the throw. Behrendt would score on a Daniel Ford (Lenoir-Rhyne) sacrifice fly to left which gave the Grizzlies a 1-0 lead.

Both starting pitchers looked good, Kaleb Herren (Oklahoma) for the Grizzlies went seven innings allowing zero runs on two hits and striking out four. While Ian Poole (Washington and Jefferson) for Outer Banks went 5 innings allowing one unearned run on two hits.

Gastonia pounced on the Daredevils’ bullpen, Brandon Casamassima (Marshall) tripled, Behrendt would walk and steal second. Casamassima would score and Behrendt moved to third on a throwing error by the catcher which gave the Grizzlies a 2-0 lead. Behrendt would score on a Daniel Ford RBI double, to make it 3-0.

The Grizzlies sent nine men to the plate in each of the seventh and eighth innings, and scored a total of 8 runs. In the seventh, Griffin Benedict (Georgia Southern) singled and advanced to second on a balk. Payden Houser’s (Tusculum) single scored Benedict. Houser would move to third on a two-base passed ball and came aroudn to score on a Bryant Lopez (North Central Texas) single to extend the lead to 5-0.

Casamassima doubled and on the play Lopez was thrown out at the plate. Behrendt then came up with an RBI double to score Casamassima and give the Grizzlies a 6-0 lead, the double missed being a home run by inches. Behrendt would score on a fielding error by the shortstop Brian Bistagne (Lee) to give Gastonia a 7-0 lead.

The eighth inning was more of the same, Benedict singled, Houser reached on an error which moved Benedict to second. Bryant Lopez singled to load the bases. Behrendt singled in Benedict with the Grizzlies 8th run. Houser would score on a Ford sacrifice fly. and Lopez scored on a Chester Wilson (Southern Utah) single. Behrendt scored on a Josh Collazo (Oklahoma Baptist) single to give the Grizzlies an 11-0 lead.

The Grizzlies were three outs away from having their first shutout since a 10-0 win against Spartanburg last season, but the Daredevils were able to manufacture 3 runs, and the Grizzlies won 11-3.

The Grizzlies (6-12) host the first place Forest City Owls (12-6) Friday night at 7 PM.

Kyle Behrendt 4 runs

7 Errors Plague Grizzlies, as they fall 18-2 against Florence.

6/17/08

FLORENCE, S.C. – All the momentum gained by a Josh Collazo (Oklahoma Baptist) solo home run to left, and a Daniel Ford (Lenoir-Rhyne) RBI single which gave the Grizzlies a 2-1 lead, was wiped out by an eight run inning by Florence in the third. Florence as Florence won 18-2.

Gastonia trailed 1-0 after one but evened the score thanks to a Collazo solo home run in the top of the second. Grizzlies would add a run in the third inning when Dawkins singled to right field, and stole second base. Kaleb Herren (Oklahoma) earned the walk. Daniel Ford then hit a single to centerfield to score Dawkins and give the Grizzlies a 2-1 lead. Brandon Casamassima (Marshall) would also reach base to load the bases with two outs but Josh Collazo flew out to center to end the threat.

Gastonia’s starter Tommy Roebuck (Lamar) had three strike outs through two and a third innings but the wheels came off the second time through the order. Jamie Walczak (Mercyhurst) worked a walk and stole second. Blake Walker (Texas Wesleyan) gounded to third but Chester Wilson’s (Southern Utah) throw to first was high. Collazo then threw the ball home in an attempt to throw out Walczak, but catcher Joey Stevens (Eastern Kentucky) couldn’t handle the throw for the second error on the play. Alec Lowrey (Louisville) singled, which was followed by four straight walks by Roebuck to Jared Barkdoll (Francis Marion), Cody Stinger (Mansfield), Keon Graves (Francis Marion), and Keegan Morrow (Seward County). In all Florence would send 12 runners to the plate and score eight.

Florence would add two in the fourth on a two-run home run to left field by Alec Lowrey to extend

the lead to 11-2.

The runs would continue in the bottom of the fifth inning when five more runs were added on, highlighted by a two run home run to left by Cody Stringer which helped extend the lead to 16-2.

Jared Barkdoll also hit a two run home run to straight away centerfield in the bottom of the seventh inning to extend the lead to 18-2.

The Grizzlies (5-12) host the Outer Banks Daredevils on Thursday at 7:05.

Ford's Walk off Home Run leads Grizzlies to 7-5 win.

6/16/08

GASTONIA, N.C. - The Gastonia Grizzlies were down 5-1 with two outs in the ninth inning, and thanks to two out magic from Daniel Ford in the 9th and 11th innings the Grizzlies defeated the Thomasville HiToms 7-5.

The Grizzlies were down 3-0 in the bottom of the third inning when Chad Dawkins (Montreat) singled and would score on a Daniel Ford (Lenoir-Rhyne) fielder’s choice, to cut the lead to 3-1.

The HiToms would push across a run in each of the fifth and sixth innings to take a 5-1 lead.

The Grizzlies Bullpen from the sixth inning on was great, only allowing 1 run in the sixth inning. Brian Greene (Montreat) and Derek Ward (Louisiana at Monroe) only allowed six hits in six innings of work.

With two outs in the ninth inning the Grizzlies came alive. Peyden Houser (Tusculum), Kyle Behrendt (Wofford) and Chad Dawkins all walked to load the bases. Kaleb Herren (Oklahoma) then cleared the bases with a double to cut the lead to 5-4. Herren was lifted for pinch runner Bryant Lopez. Brandon Casamassima (Marshall) then walked to put two runners on. Daniel Ford came up and on the first pitch hit a single to right-center to score Bryant Lopez (North Central Texas) to tie the game at 5.

The Grizzlies would strand a runner at third base in the bottom of the tenth inning and the HiToms stranded a runner at third in the top of the eleventh inning.

In the bottom of the eleventh, with two outs, Brandon Casamassima singled, to bring up Daniel Ford. HiToms pitcher Trevor Mullins (Appalachian State) worked the count full to Daniel Ford and Ford fouled off countless pitches to work the count full. Ford then hit the first Grizzlies home run at Sims Legion Park, a two run shot which give the Grizzlies a 7-5 walk off win.

The Grizzlies (5-11) travel to Florence on Tuesday, a 7 PM start.

The walk off Home Run call can be heard at; http://www.gastongazette.com/attachments/k2l895-chagariscallii.mp3

Daniel Ford, Four RBIs capped off by a 2-Run Walk of Home Run in the 11th inning.

Brad Kledzik named Rawlings Co-Pitcher of the Week

6/16/08

GASTONIA, N.C. - Gastonia Grizzlies’ pitcher Brad Kledzik (Wake Forest) was named Rawlings Co-Pitcher of the Week after two solid performances.

Kledzik earned two wins against Thomasville during the week of June 9-15th. In his start against Thomasville on June 9th, Kledzik struck out six and allowed only two runs in seven innings. On June 14th against Thomasville, Kledzik had eight strike outs in seven innings of work.

Kledzik is now 2-1 on the Coastal Plain League season with an ERA of 2.57, with 20 strike outs in 21 innings pitched.  His start on June 14th featured a stretch where Kledzik retired 11 batters in a row.

“Brad is a tremendous competitor. He puts us in a position to win every time he is on the mound,” said Head Coach Eli Benefield.  “Kledzik is a great asset to our program and I’m excited for his upcoming starts.”

Brad Kledzik

Grizzlies defeat Thomasville 5-2

6/14/08

THOMASVILLE, N.C. - The Grizzlies looked to rebound after a tough 3-2 loss on Friday, and did so thanks to a great pitching performance by starter Brad Kledzik (Wake Forest) as the Grizzlies won 5-2.

Gastonia would strike first with two runs in the top of the second inning when Chester Wilson (Southern Utah) and Griffin Benedict (Georgia Southern) both walked, that was followed by a Joey Stevens (Eastern Kentucky) single to load the bases. Bryant Lopez (North Central Texas) chopped the ball to third baseman Michael Hornsby (Tennessee), Hornsby would over throw the catcher on the throw home allowing Wilson and Benedict to score and giving the Grizzlies a 2-0 lead.

Thomasville would get those runs back in the bottom of the inning when Jeff Arnold (Louisville) was hit by a pitch and a ground rule double by C.J. Beatty (North Carolina A&T) put two runners in scoring position. With two outs, newcomer Dylan de Graff (Western Carolina) hit a two run single to right-center field to score both Arnold and Beatty and evening the score at two.

From that point on, Grizzlies starter Brad Kledzik was great, retiring the next 11 batters in a row. Kledzik would strike out eight in seven innings of work to pick up the win.

Josh Collazo (Oklahoma Baptist) would break the tie and put the Grizzlies on top in the top of the third inning with a solo home run to left-center field, giving Gastonia a 3-2 lead.

Gastonia would add a run in the fifth inning when Kaleb Herren (Oklahoma) reached on a three base error by centerfielder Dylan de Graff and would later score on a wild pitch by HiToms starter Michael Park (Ole Miss) extending the lead to 4-2.

The Grizzlies fifth and final run came across in the sixth inning when Joey Stevens hit his second of three singles and scored on a Kaleb Herren RBI single to give the Grizzlies a 5-2 lead.

The bullpen for Gastonia was solid again, Derek Ward  ( Louisiana at Monroe) for the second straight night retired all three batters in order in the eighth inning. Chris Kupillas (Central Michigan) was able to rebound from a blown save the previous night to shut the door with two strike outs in the ninth inning to earn his third save.

The Grizzlies (4-11) will host the HiToms (7-7) in the final game of a home-and-home-and-home series Monday night at 7 PM.

Brad Kledzik, who collected the win with 8 strikeouts

Josh Collazo, collected his first and the Grizzlies first home run in the 3rd inning.

Grizzlies lose Heartbreaker 3-2 against HiToms

6/13/08

GASTONIA, N.C. - The Grizzlies were one out away from taking their second win against the defending Petit Cup Champions, but a 2-run home run from Blake Forsythe (Tennessee) gave the HiToms a 3-2 victory.

Gastonia quickly jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the early innings and had quality pitching. In the top of the first inning Chad Dawkins (Montreat) singled and would score on a throwing error by right fielder Sonny Meade (Citadel) to give the Grizzlies the 1-0 lead. In the third inning Dawkins again led off with a single and would score on a passed ball thrown by JB MacDonald (Boston College) to give the Grizzlies a 2-0 lead.

Grizzlies starter Tyler Musselwhite (South Carolina) pitched very well, as he struck out 10

HiToms in 7 innings of work. Musselwhite did not allow a batter past first base until the seventh inning when CJ Beatty (North Carolina A & T) singled and scored on a Dylan DeGraff (Western Carolina) single to cut the lead to 2-1.

Grizzlies reliever Derek Ward (Louisiana at Monroe) threw a 1,2,3, inning with two guys grounding out to Josh Collazo (Oklahoma Baptist) at first base.

In the ninth inning things got rocky for Grizzlies’ closer Chris Kupillas (Central Michigan), after a leadoff walk, Kupillas retired the next two. After falling behind 2-0 to Blake Forsythe (Tennessee), Kupillas’ fastball was hit for a home run to left-center field which gave the HiToms a 3-2 lead.

The Grizzlies would threaten in the ninth inning when Collazo led off the inning with a walk, Bryant Lopez (North Central Texas) would come into the game to pinch run for Collazo. Lopez moved to second on a fielders choice by Peyden Houser (Tusculum). Kyle Behrendt (Wofford) then singled to left field and Lopez was thrown out trying to score, to give the HiToms a 3-2 win.

The Grizzlies had their second highest attendance on the season, as 1328 fans celebrated Halloween night.

The Grizzlies (3-11) will try to get revenge as they travel to Thomasville to face the HiToms(7-6) on Saturday at 7 PM.

Tyler Musselwhite

Grizzlies Fall to Copperheads 8-1

6/12/08

ASHEBORO, N.C. - The Grizzlies were snake bit by Asheboro as Gastonia lost their second straight game, this time by a score of  8-1.

The Grizzlies got on the board first, when in the fourth inning with the bases loaded and one out, Peydon Houser (Tusculum) placed a perfect suicide squeeze down the first base line to score Josh Collazo (Oklahoma Baptist) giving the Grizzlies an early 1-0 lead.

That would be the only run the Grizzlies would score and the lead would be short lived. In the bottom of the fourth inning the Copperheads would send ten men to the plate and five would come across to score to give Asheboro a 5-1 lead.

Grizzlies’ reliever Chris Henderson (Lenoir-Rhyne) looked very good in his three innings of work, striking out seven  batters including a stretch of four in a row. The only blip on his pitching line occurred in the sixth inning when Asheboro collected three extra base hits to push across three runs to take an 8-1 lead.

The Grizzlies (3-10) host Thomasville (6-6) on Friday at 7PM.

Grizzlies Fall to Owls 5-4

6/11/08

FOREST CITY, N.C. - The Grizzlies' battled a lengthy weather delay and had solid pitching, but just could not come up with a clutch hit as they fell to the Forest City Owls 5-4.

The Grizzlies stuck for their first run in the first inning when Brandon Casamassima (Marshall) reached on an error, stole second base and then scored after consecutive wild pitches by Owl’s starter Ryan Leach (North Carolina) to give Gastonia an early 1-0 lead.

The Owls would get that run back when Kevin Mahoney (Canisius) hit a home run to right centerfield, Mahoney’s third straight game with a home run and his fifth on the season.

The Grizzlies would strike for two runs in the second inning, Kyle Behrendt (Wofford) reached on a bunt single and advanced to third base on a Griffin Benedict (Georgia Southern) double. Behrendt then grounded into a fielder’s choice which scored Behrendt to give the Grizzlies a 2-1 lead. Chad Dawkins (Montreat) reached on a two base fielder’s choice and would score on a Casamassima single to extend the lead to 3-1.

The Owls would push across three runs in the bottom of the second inning when Rich Racobaldo (Mount Olive), Will Skinner (Walters State), and Thomas Morrison (Columbus State) all came around to score to give the Owls a 4-3 lead.

After the fifth inning, lightning filled McNair and caused a 92 minute weather delay.

The Owls would tack on another run in the bottom of the sixth inning when Thomas Morrison walked and scored on a Chris Nadeau (Miami of Ohio) triple to give the Owls a 5-3 lead.

The Grizzlies would load the bases in the seventh inning but reliever Jamaal Hollis (Miami of Ohio) was able to get out of the jam. The Grizzlies would score a run in the top of the ninth inning when Scott Wingo (South Carolina) reached on a bunt single and would score on a  Josh Collazo (Oklahoma Baptist) single to cut the lead to 5-4. The Grizzlies would end up leaving the bases loaded, and would strand a runner at third base in each inning after the weather delay.

The Grizzlies (3-9) will travel to Asheboro (7-4) to face the Copperheads on Friday at 7 PM.

Grizzlies Split Doubleheader

6/10/08

GASTONIA, N.C. - After a tough 8-1 loss against the Martinsville Mustangs in game one the Grizzlies rebounded back to win game 2 by a score of 2-1, thanks to timely hitting and Christopher Kupillas shutting the door to earn his second save.

The Grizzlies took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning of game one, when Chad Hunter (Walters State) singled and scored on a Brandon Casamassima (Marshall) fielders choice.

The Grizzlies would hold that lead until the top of the sixth inning when with two outs Brent Davis (Saint Edwards) struck out Matt Schneider (Erskine) which should have been the third out of the inning, but the ball squirted past catcher Griffin Benedict (Georgia Southern) and Schneider reached first base. With their second life, Matt Duffy (Virginia at Wise) walked, and Jeff Butler (Lafayette) hit a ball to Josh Collazo that looked like it hit a land mine as it shot five feet over Collazo’s head and into right field, Schneider would score to tie the game at 1. Sam Palace (Florida Tech) then singled to left field to score Duffy and Butler and give the Mustangs a 3-1 lead.

Brent Davis would be the unlucky loser as he went six innings, allowing three unearned runs and seven strike outs.

The Mustangs would add five more in the seventh inning to win game one by a score of 8-1.

Game two featured solid pitching and key hits for Gastonia. The Grizzlies took an early 2-0 lead in the bottom half of the third inning when Casamassima walked and scored on a Chester Wilson (Southern Utah) single, Josh Collazo (Oklahoma Baptist) would walk and score on a Kyle Behrendt (Wofford) single.

The Mustangs would score their lone run in the top of the fifth inning when J.D. Davidson walked

and scored on a Taylor Smith (Patrick Henry) single to cut the lead to 2-1.

Grizzlies starter Tommy Roebuck (Lamar) went four and a third while giving up 1 run, unearned, and striking out two.

In the top half of the sixth inning Derek Ward (Louisiana at Monroe) allowed a leadoff double to Bucky Smith. After a Ryan Self (East Tennessee State) strikeout the next two batters reached to load the bases. Gastonia brought in their closer Chris Kupillas (Central Michigan) who struck out the final two batters in the sixth, and would strike out the side in order in the seventh. The five strike outs in five batters earned Kupillas his second save of the season, Ward would earn the win.

The Grizzlies (3-8) travel to face their rival Forest City Owls (6-4) Wednesday night at 7 PM.

Chris Kupillas

Grizzlies Win Two Straight

6/9/08

THOMASVILLE, N.C. - The Gastonia Grizzlies looked to stretch their winning streak to two as they faced the Thomasville Hi-Toms, and for the second straight night thanks to great starting pitcher, the Grizzlies came way with a 4-2 win.

The Hi-Toms struck first in the bottom of the second inning, when with two outs Yogi Gunther

(Ole Miss) singled then scored on a Chris McGuiness (The Citadel) double to give the Hi-Toms an early 1-0 lead.

The Grizzlies would answer with runs in each of the third and fourth innings to take the lead at 2-1. Scott Wingo (South Carolina) was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a wild pitch by Jesse Haney (UNC-Wilmington). Chad Dawkins (Montreat) then continued his hot ways with a single to left field and Wingo scored on a throwing error by leftfielder Jason Wallace (Appalachian State) which tied the game at 1.

In the fourth inning Josh Collazo (Oklahoma Baptist) singled and would later score on a single by Kyle Behrendt (Wofford) to give the Grizzlies a 2-1 lead.

The Grizzlies lead would be short lived though as the Hi-Toms struck again with two outs. Jeff Arnold (Louisville) hit a home run to left field to tie the game at 2.

The tie would be short lived through as the Grizzlies bats came alive for two runs in the fifth inning. Dawkins singled and after moving to second on a Brandon Casamassima (Marshall) sacrifice bunt. After a Benedict walk, Daniel Ford (Lenoir-Rhyne) doubled which allowed Dawkins to score and give the Grizzlies a 3-2 lead. The Grizzlies would add one more when Collazo singled to score Benedict and the Grizzlies were up 4-2.

Grizzlies starter Brad Kledzik (Wake Forest) put together the second straight quality start for Gastonia. In 7 innings of work Kledzik gave up two runs, with six strike outs.

Gastonia’s bullpen was just as effective as Derek Ward (Louisiana at Monroe) struck out a batter in his inning of work, while Chris Kupillas (Central Michigan) struck out two to earn his first save of the season.

The Grizzlies (2-7) will face the Martinsville Mustangs (3-5) Tuesday in a double header beginning at 6 PM.

Grizzlies Announce Partnership with Vitaminwater

6/9/08

GASTONIA, N.C. - The Gastonia Grizzlies have announced a partnership with Vitaminwater which provides the Grizzlies with 100 cases for the players. The Grizzlies come from all over the country from as close as Lincolnton, North Carolina and as far away as Honolulu, Hawaii.

The Grizzlies have been enjoying the 15 different flavors of Vitaminwater; power-c, defense, focus, balance, endurance, essential, vital-t, energy, b-relaxed, rescue, charge, multi-v, formula 50, revive and xxx. 

Vitaminwater has become the drink of choice for celebrities in every field from Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, and 50 cent in the singing world to Carl Edwards, David Ortiz, and David Wright in the competitive sports world.

“We are very appreciative of Vitaminwater to supply our players with drinks for the season,” says General Manager Jesse Cole. “With a grueling 56 game schedule, it is the perfect refreshment for our players.”

Vitaminwater has come a long way from its Queens, New York roots and now be found in many supermarkets across the country. Information on Vitaminwater, such as how it works and other celebrities who drink it can be found at www.vitaminwater.com.

Grizzlies Earn First Win

6/7/08

GASTONIA, N.C. - The Gastonia Grizzlies ended their 7-game season opening losing streak on Friday thanks to a five RBI effort by Chad Dawkins. The Grizzlies won 9-2 over the Asheboro Copperheads.

For the second time in 2008, the Grizzlies did not commit an error and this time the Grizzlies took advantage of miscues by the Asheboro Copperheads. In the bottom of the second inning Kyle Behrendt (Wofford) doubled, and then Joey Stevens (Eastern Kentucky) reached on a fielding error by Chris Ahearn (Catawba). Scott Wingo (South Carolina) walked to load the bases with one out. Which set the table for Chad Dawkins (Montreat) to triple to right center field to clear the bases and give the Grizzlies a 4-0 lead.

Grizzlies starting pitcher Tyler Musselwhite (South Carolina) looked very good with the exception of giving up two runs in the third inning. Sean Cotton (Tusculum) and Daniel Cooke (Gardner-Webb) both scored on double by Daniel Wagner (Belmont) to cut the lead to 4-2.

Musselwhite on the day went 7 innings, allowing five hits, two runs, both earned, with 8 strikeouts to earn his first victory and improve his record to 1-1.

The Grizzlies would plate a run in each of the fourth and fifth innings. Behrendt walked and would score when Casamassima grounded out to short to extend the lead to 5-2. In the fifth Daniel Ford (Lenoir-Rhyne) doubled and scored on a Josh Collazo (Oklahoma Baptist) single to make it 6-2.

The offensive charge kept going into the seventh inning when the Grizzlies worked some two out magic. Stevens reached on an error by third baseman Jeff Ussery (Georgia Tech) and Wingo reached on an error by second baseman Daniel Wagner. Those two men set the table again for Chad Dawkins to drove them in with an RBI double to make it 8-2. Dawkins would later score on a Casamassima single to give the Grizzlies a 9-2 lead.

The Grizzlies bullpen again came up big as Derek Ward (Louisiana at Monroe) and Chris Kupillas (Central Michigan) combined to go two innings, only allowing 1 hit and striking out 3.

The Grizzlies (1-7) travel to Thomasville (4-2) on Monday, a 7 PM start.

Eight Grizzlies Selected in MLB Draft

6/7/08

GASTONIA, N.C. - The Gastonia Grizzlies are pleased to announce that four current and one former Grizzlies players have been drafted in the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft: Kaleb Herren, Mark Cohoon, Johnny Hellweg, Sam Freeman, David Rubenstein, Jeremy Hamilton, Matt Payne, and Tyler Sexton.

Mark Cohoon was drafted in the 12th round, 374 overall by the New York Mets.

Cohoon this past season for North Central Texas batted .363 with 12 doubles and 20 RBIs. On the mound pitched 27 innings with two wins. One of those wins being a no hitter against Brookhaven on March 24th where he recorded 12 strikeouts.

Kaleb Herren is a sophomore who played this past season at North Central Texas and will transfer to University of Oklahoma if he does not sign. Herren was selected number 1328 overall in the 44th round by the Milwaukee Brewers. For the Grizzlies this season he is 0-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 11 innings pitched.

Johnny Hellweg was drafted in the 16th round, 499 overall by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and is expected to sign with the Angels. Hellweg played at Florida Community College this past season where he made 11 appearances struck out 28 batters in 27 innings of work. Hellweg also held opposing batters to a .274 batting average.

Sam Freeman was drafted number 965 overall by the Saint Louis Cardinals after playing his junior season at Kansas. Freeman went 4-1 with a 8.53 era, also striking out 20 batters in 31.2 innings of work.  Freeman is waiting to speak to the Cardinals before coming to Gastonia.

David Rubinstein was drafted 324th overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Rubinstein hit .259 with three home runs and 20 RBIs for the Grizzlies last season. Rubinstein is Appalachian State’s all time leaders with 61 doubles, and ranks among the top ten in seven other categories.

Five players on the 2008 Grizzlies have been previously selected in the Major League Draft.  Chester Wilson and Brent Davis were drafted in 2005, while Chris Kupillas, Joey Stevens and Tyler Musselwhite were drafted in 2007.

Other former Grizzlies drafted were Jeremy Hamilton (2006) by the Philadelphia Phillies, Matt Payne (2006) by the Pittsburgh Pirates and Tyler Sexton (2005) by the Baltimore Orioles.

“We are very excited for all the players who have been drafted,” said General Manager Jesse Cole.  It shows you the caliber of these players and demonstrates how the Coastal Plain League is one of the premiere college summer leagues in the country.”

The Grizzlies will play the Asheboro Copperheads on Saturday with a special start time of 6:05.  After the game the Grizzlies will show “The Sandlot” on a big screen on the field where they will invite everyone to watch the movie with the players. 

Grizzlies still Searching for First Win

6/6/08

MARTINSVILLE, V.A. -- The Gastonia Grizzlies looked to earn their first win on the season against the Martinsville Mustangs, defensive miscues in the fourth inning helped the Mustangs win 13-5.

The Grizzlies would score first in the Collazo Inning (first inning) when Brandon Casamassima (Marshall) scored on a Josh Collazo (Oklahoma Baptist) double to give the Grizzlies an early 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the second inning the Mustangs would tie it up when Ryan Self (East Tennessee State) would score on an throwing error by catcher Griffin Benedict (Georgia Southern) threw down to third base and the throw sailed over chester Wilson's (Southern Utah) head to tie the game at 1.

Chad Dawkins (Montreat) would give the Grizzlies the lead after scoring on a throwing error by Mustang's shortstop J.D. Davidson (Florida Tech) to make it a 2-1 ball game.

The Grizzlies for the second straight game in Martinsville had their defense self implode. The Mustangs would send 11 batters to the plate, and the Grizzlies would commit 3 errors. The first five would reach and score, in all the Mustangs would score six, making it a 7-2 game.

The Grizzlies would score a run in the sixth inning when Daniel Ford (Lenoir-Rhyne) singled and scored on a Kyle Behrendt (Wofford) single to cut the lead to 7-3. Scott Winglo (South Carolina) would get the offense going again in the seventh inning for the Grizzlies, by walking and advancing to second on a fielders choice. Casamassima then singled to right field to score Wingo and cut the lead to 7-4. Casamassima would score on a Ford single to cut the lead to 7-5.

Reliever Brian Greene (Montreat) looked good for his first 3 innings of work, retiring nine straight batters. The Mustangs were able to adjust and scored three runs the second time they faced Greene. Matt Schneider (Erskine) would walk and moved over to second base when Jeff Butler (Lafayette) was hit by a pitch. J.D. Davidson would then clear the bases with a triple to right-center field to give the Mustangs a 9-5 lead. Davidson would score on a Zach Boyette (Barton College) single to extend the lead to 10-5.

The Grizzlies (0-6) host the Asheboro Copperheads (6-2) on Saturday at 6:05.

Grizzlies announce Game and a Movie Night

6/6/08

GASTONIA, N.C. - The Gastonia Grizzlies will be holding a game and a movie night on Saturday night at 6:05, when the Gastonia Grizzlies host the Asheboro Copperheads.

Following the game, fans will be invited to sit on the field to watch “The Sandlot” on a 24’ x 20’ Screen. There will also be popcorn deals all night.

Fans have been coming out in record numbers to see the Gastonia Grizzlies this season.

On opening night the Grizzlies had their second highest attendance ever when 2115 fans cheered on the Grizzlies as they faced the rival Forest City Owls. Monday and Thursday of this past week had the highest attendance for those days in franchise history.

Some Grizzlies players are off to hot starts including, Daniel Ford (Lenoir-Rhyne) who leads the team with a .400 batting average, while Chad Dawkins (Montreat) leads the team with three stolen bases. Brent Davis (Saint Edwards) leads the pitching staff with eight strikeouts in nine and a third innings pitched.

Grizzlies Fall To 0-6

6/5/08

GASTONIA, N.C. - The Gastonia Grizzlies looked to earn their first win Wednesday night against the Forest City Owls, but despite four solid innings from starter Kaleb Herren (Oklahoma), the Grizzlies lost 11-4.

The Grizzlies have been plagued with the error and miscue bug and it stuck again on Wednesday. In the top of the fourth inning, Brian Fogle (Erskine) reached on a two out single and moved to third base on a Chris Nadeau (Miami of Ohio) single to right field. Grizzlies right fielder, Kyle Behrendt, thinking Fogle was going home, threw the ball over the Catcher Joey Stevens (Eastern Kentucky) head which allowed Fogle to score.

Grizzlies starter Herren went four innings allowing one run, zero earned, with a strike out.

The Owls added their second run in the fifth inning when Wade Moore (N.C. State) singled and scored on a fielders choice to give the Owls a 2-0 lead.

The Grizzlies answered with three runs of their own in the bottom of the sixth inning. Chad Dawkins (Montreat) walked, Brandon Casamassima (Marshall) singled to move Dawkins to second. Griffin Benedict (Georgia Southern) moved Dawkins over on a sacrifice fly to right field. Daniel Ford (Lenoir-Rhyne) then singled to drive in Dawkins. Casamassima scored on a Wilson fielders choice to tie the game at two. Ford would later score on a Kevin Mahoney (Canisus) error to give the Grizzlies a 3-2 lead.

The Owls would send 10 men to the plate in the seventh inning; all but one would reach safely. The runs began after a defensive miscue with the first batter Kevin Mahoney. Mahoney popped the ball up behind the plate and catcher Joey Stevens was called off by third baseman Brandan Casamassima and Casamassima could not reach the ball. With his second life Mahoney was able to single and begin the rally. The owls would score 5 runs in the seventh, and three more in the 8th.

The Grizzlies scored their final run in the bottom of the seventh inning when Scott Wingo (South Carolina) in his Grizzlies debut walked and scored on a Ford single to right field.

The Grizzlies (0-6) will travel to Martinsville tomorrow night to face the Mustangs (1-4) at 7:30 P.M.

Grizzlies Fall To 0-5

6/4/08

Martinsville, VA - The Gastonia Grizzlies and the Martinsville Mustangs met in a battle of the only winless teams left in the Coastal Plain League, unfortunately for the Grizzlies the Mustangs capitalized on a number of miscues and left the Grizzlies as the only winless team in the CPL.

The Mustangs used a series of miscues early on to gain an early 5-0 lead. The Mustangs scored two in the bottom half of the first inning when Bucky Smith (Kennesaw State), and Ryan LaPensee (Wayne State) scored on a Matt Schneider (Erskine) two run single to make it 2-0. The men got into scoring pitching after an error by third baseman Chester Wilson.

The second inning saw two miscues by Josh Collazo (Oklahoma Baptist) neither of which were errors, but three Mustangs would score; Jeff Butler (Lafayette), Zach Boyette (Barton College) and Smith to make it 5-0.

The Grizzlies would score their lone run in the top half of the first inning when Chad Dawkins ( Montreat) singled and would score on a Brandon Casamassima (Marshall) triple to make the score 5-1.

The Grizzlies’ bullpen looked great as Brian Greene (Montreat) and Chris Henderson (Lenoir-Rhyne) combined to allow two base runners in three and a third innings of work. Greene had a strike out and Henderson had two in the ninth inning.

The Grizzlies ran into hot pitching by the Mustangs as they only recorded two hits after scoring in the third inning. As the Grizzlies fell 9-1.

The Grizzlies (0-5) will host the Forest City Owls (3-2) Thursday night at 7:05.

Grizzlies Announce Flatulence Fun Night

6/3/08

GASTONIA, N.C. - The Gastonia Grizzlies will be holding the first ever Flatulence Fun Night on Thursday Night as the Gastonia Grizzlies will be hosting the Forest City Owls at 7:05, at Sims Legion Park.

Festivities include a Bean Burrito eating contest, a canned food drive (beans are preferred), and an on-field farting contest.  The Grizzlies will also be honoring the oldest fart in attendance.

To get in the spirit, fans will receive Grizzlies whoopee cushions as they enter the gates, and it promises to be a gas of a time.

Former Grizzlies Chief Operating Officer, Jack Thompson, who was known for his flatulence, will be in attendance and will be throwing out the ceremonial pitch.

For those fans who wish to distance themselves from the flatulence festivities, it will be Thirsty Thursday with dollar drink and beer specials all night.

Grizzlies Fall To 0-4

6/2/08

GASTONIA - N.C. The Gastonia Grizzlies looked to win their first game of the season, and despite a great outing by starter Brad Kledzik (Wake Forest), the Grizzlies fell to Asheboro for the second time in three days.

For the first time all season Gastonia did not score first. The teams were scoreless until the top of the fifth inning when Chris Ahern (Catawba) extended the inning with a two out single. After stealing second base, Ahern came around to score on a RBI single by Daniel Cooke to make it a 1-0 game.

Two innings later the Copperheads stuck for another run, again with two outs. Daniel Cooke (Gardner-Webb) walked and would score on a Ryan Query (Catawba) single to give the Copperheads a 2-0 lead.

Kledzik looked impressive in his Grizzlies debut but fell victim to a lack of run support. In seven innings of work Kledzik allowed two runs while striking out six.

In the ninth inning the Copperheads added an insurance run when Cooke doubled and scored when Query hit into a fielders choice which extended the lead to 3-0.

Gastonia would not be shut out, and looked for some ninth inning magic much like Saturday's game. With two outs in the ninth, Chester wilson (Southern Utah) singled and would score on Griffin Benedict's (Georgia Southern) double to cut the lead to 3-1. That would be all the offense the Grizzlies would get, as Dan Weller (UNC-Asheville) threw a complete game six hitter to get the victory.

The Grizzlies (0-4) travel to Martinsville (1-3) to battle the Mustangs on Wednesday at 7:05.

Grizzlies Late Rally Not Enough

5/31/08

ASHEBORO, N.C. – The Grizzlies looked on Saturday to snap a two game losing streak. After leading 1-0, the Grizzlies  fell into a deficit they could not overcome, and even with a ninth inning rally, fell to the Asheboro Copperheads 9-7.

Gastonia want to rename the first inning the Collazo inning, as Josh Collazo (Oklahoma Baptist) for the third straight game drove in a run in the first inning. Chad Dawkins (Montreat) reached on a leadoff single, and after Bryant Lopez (North Central Texas) grounded into a fielder’s choice, Daniel Ford (Lenoir Rhyne) singled.  Collazo then hit an RBI single to score Dawkins and gave the Grizzlies an early 1-0 lead.

Tyler Musselwhite (South Carolina) was extremely wild in the bottom half of the first, walking three men and throwing three wild pitches, one of which allowed Daniel Cooke (Gardner-Webb) to score and tie the game at 1.

The Copperheads struck for three in the third and sixth innings, highlighted by a Relly Mercurio (Texas Christian) 2-run double in the sixth inning, Mercurio would later score on a Kilby Perdomo (Frank Phillips CC) sacrifice fly, making the Copperhead’s lead 7-1.

Asheboro continued to increase their lead when Daniel Wagner (Belmont) scored on a Mercurio single in the seventh to make it 8-1.

The Grizzlies and Copperheads exchanged runs in the eighth inning. Gastonia’s Ford scored on a Chester Wilson (Southern Utah) single while the Copperhead’s Wagner scored on a Mercurio single to make it a 9-2 game.

The bats came alive for the Grizzlies in the top half of the ninth inning, but it was too little too late and the seven run deficit was too much to overcome. Payden Houser (Tusculum) , Dawkins, Lopez, and Ford would all score in the ninth and the Grizzlies would send all nine men to the plate, including six men reaching safely in a row.

With the go ahead run in the batter’s box, the Copperheads brought in Carson McLean (UNC-Asheville) to retire both Wilson and Kaleb Herren (Oklahoma), to give Asheboro the 9-7 win.

The Grizzlies (0-3) will host Asheboro (2-1) on Monday, June 2nd at 6:00 PM..

Grizzlies Deja Vu

5/30/08

Gastonia, N.C. - The Gastonia Grizzlies began their home season against the Forest City Owls at Sims Legion Park. Similar to last night's game the Grizzlies took an early 2-0 lead but the Owls again came back to win 4-2.

The Grizzlies scored in their half of the first inning. When Kyle Behrendt (Wofford) scored on a Josh collazo (Oklahoma Baptist) double making it 1-0. The lead would be extended in the second inning when Bryant Lopez (North Central Texas) scored on a Chad Dawkins (Montreat) single making it 2-0.

The pitching for Forest City then took over, as the Grizzlies only had seven men reach base after the second inning. Forest City's starter Heath Hembree (South Carolina) was solid, giving up three hits, two runs and striking out seven in six innings of work.

Grizzlies starter Kaleb Herren (Oklahoma) fell victim to small ball, as the Owls pushed across a run in each of the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh innings. In the fourth inning Allen caldwell (Clemson) scored on a Kevin Mahoney (Canisus) sacrafice fly to make it 2-1. Matthew Katich (Notre Dame) scored on a Taylor Black single in the fifth to tie the game at 2. In the sixth inning Kevin Mahoney scored on a Chris Nadeau single to center to give the Owls a 3-2 lead. The owls scored their final run in the seventh inning when Wade Moore (N.C. State) scored on a Jordan Petraitis RBI double.

The Gastonia Grizzlies (0-2) travel to Asheboro (1-1) on Saturday, May 31st at 7:05.

Grizzlies Fall to Owls 4-2

5/29/08

Forest City, N.C. - The Gastonia Grizzlies began their 2008 season against the Forest City Owls at the brand new McNair Field. While Gastonia took an early 2-0 lead and capitalized on an error, the Grizzlies could not hold the lead and lost 4-2.

The Grizzlies led after Daniel Ford (Lenoir-Rhyne) scored on a Josh Collazo (Oklahoma Baptist) RBI double in the top half of the first inning. Gastonia would add another in the third inning after Chad Dawkins (Montreat) reached on a fielding error and scored on a Ford single to extend the lead to 2-0.

Forest City answered with a run in the fifth inning after Grizzlies starter Brent Davis (Saint Edwards) walked Chris Nadeau with the bases loaded to make it 2-1. The Grizzlies tried to take momentum when the first two batters reached in the top half of the sixth inning, but Joey Stevens (Eastern Kentucky) grounded into a triple play to shift momentum toward the owls. The Owls went on to score three runs off of reliever Keith Para (Montreat) in the bottom half of the sixth inning due to three straight hits by Wade Moore, Jordan Petraitis, and Allen Caldwell (Clemson).

The Gastonia Grizzlies (0-1) host the Forest City Owls (1-0) on Friday, May 30th at 7:05.

The Grizzlies open their season May 30th, against the Forest City Owls. Opening night will feature giveaways all night including a five-night, two person cruise to the Bahamas on Carnivals Fascination. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Grizzlies front office at 704-866-8622 or by visiting www.gastoniagrizzlies.com.

Grizzlies Sign Two More

5/21/08

GASTONIA, N.C. – The Gastonia Grizzlies Baseball Club announced today the signing of Brandon Casamassima and Keith Para.

Casamassima is a 6-0, 190-pound infielder from Marshall. This season he has scored 38 runs and stolen nine bases without being caught.

In 2007 at Marshall, Casamassima lead the Thundering Herd with 36 RBIs and 88 total bases.  He was among team leaders with eight home runs and a .447 slugging percentage.

Para is a 5-11, 190-pound right-handed pitcher for Montreat College.  He is one of two returning players for the Grizzlies joining Zac Kennedy. Last season Para was among team leaders with 2 wins, 60.1 innings pitched, and held opposing hitters to a .262 batting average.

Para is a former standout pitcher from Mohawk Valley Community College where he is tied for second on the all time list in games pitched with 19.

“We expect Brandon and Keith to be valuable players for us this summer,” said General Manager Jesse Cole. “Brandon can play shortstop and third and provides power in the lineup, while Keith comes to Gastonia with experience pitching in the Coastal Plain League.”

The Grizzlies open their season May 28th, against the Martinsville Mustangs. Opening night will feature giveaways all night including a five-night, two person cruise to the Bahamas on Carnivals Fascination. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Grizzlies front office at 704-866-8622 or by visiting www.gastoniagrizzlies.com.

Grizzlies Sign Two Pitchers

Musselwhite Drafted by Braves in '06 & '07

5/19/08

GASTONIA, N.C. – The Gastonia Grizzlies Baseball Club announced today the signing of two pitchers; Tyler Musselwhite and Ian Waldron.

Musselwhite is a 6-4, 210-pound right-handed pitcher for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks.  He is a former Panhandle Conference Reliever of the Year for Chipola Junior College.

In 2007 at Chipola, Musselwhite pitched on the NJCCA National championship team.  He posted a 5-1 record in 65.1 innings pitched earning the Fireman Award and Second Team All-Conference honors.  Musselwhite was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 29th round of the 2006 draft and in the 46th round of the 2007 draft.

Waldron is a 6-8, 230-pound right-handed pitcher for Arizona Western College. For the Matadors, he was among the leaders with five wins, 70 innings pitched, 42 strikeouts and a 3.73 ERA.

Waldron has recently signed to play for the Chico State Wildcats beginning in the fall. Chico State plays at the Division II level and has made the NCAA Championship Tournament each of the last four years and seven of the last 10 seasons.

"Both Ian and Tyler bring a lot of experience to our pitching staff,” says General Manager Jesse Cole.  "We expect them to bring veteran leadership to our team this summer.”

The Grizzlies open their season May 28th, against the Martinsville Mustangs. Opening night will feature giveaways all night including a five-night, two person cruise to the Bahamas on Carnivals Fascination. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Grizzlies front office at 704-866-8622 or by visiting www.gastoniagrizzlies.com.

A Whole New Era in Grizzlies Baseball

5/13/08

GASTONIA, N.C. – The Gastonia Grizzlies begin their seventh season on May 28th, and fans will notice countless changes. Even the unchangeable Sims Legion Park has undergone a facelift.

Sims Legion Park has gone through its first major renovation since the Gastonia Cardinals moved in during the 1977 season. The highlight of the renovation is a new $300,000 state of the art video scoreboard, which will feature top quality video clips throughout the games. A new PA System and batting cage were also added during the renovation.

Fans will now experience a team and atmosphere only rivaled in the minor leagues, with promotions nobody wants to miss. From fireworks nights, Hannah Montana Night, to giving away a diamond ring from Diamond World and a five night cruise for two from Creative Travel; there is something for every member of the family. Ever dream about being a professional singer, then Grizzly Idol is right up your alley.

Forget dinner and a movie, try a game and a movie. After the June 7th game, “The Sandlot” will be played on a 24’ x 20’ projection screen. Other fun nights are Gorgeous Grandma day, which features a Grandma Beauty Pageant to crown the Grizzly Grandma of the year. Finally, Flatulence Fun Night, which will include a Bean Burrito Eating Contest and a Whoopee Cushion Giveaway.

The quality of players has also been improved, featuring six players that were previously drafted by the major leagues and players from the University of South Carolina, University of Kansas and Oklahoma.

Even the new food this season is getting a lot of buzz.  The Grizzlies are introducing the Krispy Kreme Donut Burger, which instead of a bun has a burger inside of a Krispy Kreme Donut; it’s Heart Stoppingly Delicious!! Philly Cheese Steak, Bruster's Ice Cream, and a pretzel bun have also been added to the revamped Bear Lair concession stand.

"Gaston County has tremendous baseball history," said General Manager Jesse Cole. "Our goal is to bring the excitement of baseball back to this area."

The excitement has caught on this year for the Grizzlies.  For the first time in team history, the Grizzlies have sold out of signage at Sims Legion Park as well as selling out all of the box seat season tickets.

The Grizzlies open their season May 28th, against the Martinsville Mustangs. Opening night will feature giveaways all night including a five-night, two person cruise to the Bahamas on Carnivals Fascination. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Grizzlies front office at 704-866-8622 or by visiting www.gastoniagrizzlies.com.

Grizzlies Sign Closer

5/12/08

GASTONIA, N.C. – The Gastonia Grizzlies Baseball Club announced today the signing of Derek Ward, a 6-3, 190-pound pitcher from Louisiana-Monroe.

Ward was named to the 2008 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year watch list, given to the top relief pitcher in Division I college baseball. As a junior he leads the Warhawks with 23 appearances, and six saves.

Ward transferred to Louisiana-Monroe after his sophomore year at Texarkana Junior College where he set the single season saves record with 12.

Growing up in Canfield, Arkansas, Ward helped his family raise 95,000 chickens on their chicken farm in a town with a population fewer than 200 people. Ward was named both All-Conference and All-State all four of his years at Bradley High School.

“Derek Ward has proved hims