By: Shelby Dermer

CINCINNATI, OHIO – Under an increasing downpour at Max McLeary Field, the Cincinnati Steam (8-4) finished a doubleheader sweep of the Grand Lake Mariners (5-7) with a 4-1 victory in game two.

Jace Mercer and Dallas Beaver broke a 1-1 tie with two-out RBI singles in the bottom of the fifth inning, giving the Steam a 4-1 lead. The three-run frame for Cincinnati started with back-to-back one-out walks from third baseman Alex Holderbach and designated hitter Brian Guck. 

Guck and Mercer came across to score on Beaver’s two-run single that broke the game wide open for the Steam.

For a second straight game, the Mariners got on the board first but couldn’t capitalize. A throwing error by Holderbach in the top of the first inning allowed Patrick Raiff to score and give Grand Lake a 1-0 advantage.

But that didn’t impact right-hander Mitch Gremling. The Wright State product tossed the first complete game for a Steam starter this season, yielding just three hits, an unearned run, two walks and struck out nine, Gremling is 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA in three starts this season. 

Matt Warkentin (Johnson County Community College) made his debut at first base for Cincinnati, going 1-3 with a RBI single in his first at-bat of the season that tied the game at one.

What’s next?

With the accelerated series against Grand Lake, the Steam will enjoy an off day tomorrow, followed by the opener of a two-game set against the Lima Locos at Simmons Field on Saturday night.