The Evansville Otters (44-21) piled the runs on the Southern Illinois Miners tonight, racking up nine runs en route to a 9-4 victory at Rent One Park.
After a quiet first inning, the Otters erupted in the second for seven runs. Chris Sweeney and Jeremy Nowak started the frame with a pair of single and then the Otters loaded the bases, taking advantage of a Miners error. Cory Urquhart came to the plate with one out and singled in a run before Dean Wilson ripped a single back up the middle for an Otters 3-0 lead.
After John Schultz extended his on-base streak to 26 games with a walk, once again loading the bases, Josh Allen was hit by a pitch for the 16th time on the season, plating a run, and pushing the Otters advantage to 4-0. Dane Phillips hit a sac fly to center for a 5-0 lead and Sweeney doubled down the left field line to put a cherry on the seven run second inning.
The Miners responded with a run in the bottom of the second on a solo shot by Steve Marino, but the Otters got it right back in the top of the third. JD Dorgan doubled down the left field line with one out and after Urquhart struck out, Wilson again stepped to the plate and came through for the Otters, doubling down the right field line and putting the Otters in front 8-1.
Oliver would run into trouble in the fifth inning and allowing a run, but made it out of the frame with an Otters’ 8-2 lead. They rewarded the effort by scoring a run in the seventh when Chris Sweeney started the inning with a double and moved to third on a stolen base. He was plated by Kurt Wertz Jr’s sacrifice fly to center, pushing the Otters out in front 9-2.
Oliver picked up two strikeouts in the sixth and was sent back out in the seventh inning before having to come out of the game. Connor Little, who was celebrating his 25th birthday tonight, came on with runners at first and second, but a bloop single down the left field line allowed an inherited runner to score before he got out of the inning without any further damage. He pitched a solid eighth inning, racking up his 48th strikeout of the year, recording four or more outs for the 14th time on the season in 28 appearances. Shane Weedman pitched the ninth and allowed a run before closing out he Miners for the Otters 9-4 win.
Dean Wilson went 2-for-4 in the game with a double and three RBI while Chris Sweeney pocketed a pair of doubles and RBI, going 3-for-5 on the night. Despite going O-fer for the first time since July 10th, John Schultz extended his on base streak to 26 games, walking twice. Will Oliver is now 9-2 on the season and has won his last six starts after going 6.2 IP, allowing three runs on seven hits and walking three while walking ten, his second largest output of the season.
The Otters will look to take the series against the Otters tomorrow night when they throw Preston Olson (5-3, 3.57). The Miners will respond with Rick Teasley (8-2, 2.47), a pitcher they beat earlier in the season. The first pitch is scheduled for 5:05 pm CDT and the pregame show featuring Jake Donnelly on 91.5 WUEV is scheduled to start at 4:45 pm CDT.
The Otters will not be back in Evansville, IN until next Wednesday when they will start a three game series against the Frontier Greys with a doubleheader on Wednesday. That game will be Princess Night at Bosse Field with the first pitch of Game One scheduled for 5:35 and the gates opening at 5 pm CDT. Fans can purchase tickets by calling the team’s front office at 812.435.8686 or online at EvansvilleOtters.com. For all of the latest information on the Otters, log on to EvansvilleOtters.com or follow the team’s twitter account @EvilleOtters.
