The Gateway Grizzlies (28-13) beat the Joliet Slammers (15-23) 6-1 on Sunday at Silver Cross Field behind Niko Vasquez, who had two extra base hits.
He doubled in the first inning, homered in the third inning, and singled in the eighth inning.The Gateway Grizzlies relied on Kerry Kelley to eat up innings en route to the win. Kelley pitched eight innings and allowed one earned run, three hits and one walk while striking out two.
Despite the loss, the Joliet Slammers' Kody McFarland dominated the Gateway Grizzlies' batters, giving up zero runs and striking out five.
Santo Manzanillo (2-3) took the loss for the Joliet Slammers. He lasted just 2 1/3 innings, walked three, struck out three, and allowed four runs.
Vasquez, Tommy Richards and Richard Seigel helped lead the Gateway Grizzlies. They combined for six hits and four RBIs.