Marion, IL—The Evansville Otters (43-21) scored a run early against the Southern Illinois Miners (42-22), but that was all they could get. Trevor Walch pitched his heart out, but allowed two solo home runs as the Otters dropped the opener against the Miners 2-1.
The first run of the game in the top of the first innings as John Schultz continued to stroke, lacing a single to start of the game. He would steal second later in the frame, which is where he was when Chris Sweeney doubled down the left field line for an Otters 1-0 lead.
But Adam Lopez kept the Otters off the scoreboard, mowing them down inning after inning and letting the Miners creep back into the game. They tied it up in the fourth inning off of a solo blast from Steve Marino and then took the lead on a solo shot in the fifth from Bryan Portelli.
Lopez went seven innings of one run ball, collecting 12 strikeouts and allowing just the two hits before turning the ball over to former Otter, Evan Mott. Mott struck out the first batter he faced before inducing a flyout to center. Schultz came to the plate once aagain and shot a single into left field. He moved to second on a wild pitch, but was stranded in scoring position when Josh Allen struck out. The Otters went down in order in the top of the ninth, losing 2-1.
Trevor Walch was the tough luck loser for the second time at Rent One Park, picking up his second complete game loss of the season, in eerily similar fashion to how he did it back on June 12th. Last time the Otters were no hit, this time the Otters secured just three hits as Walch went eight innings, giving up two runs on six hits while walking and striking out four.
John Schulz has now reached base in 25 straight games, hitting safely in 24 of those 25 while going 10-for-18 on the roadtrip. The Otters will look to even the series against the Miners when they throw Will Oliver (8-2, 1.40) against Jarrett Miller for the Miners (3-2, 3.45). Game time tomorrow is scheduled for 6:05 pm CDT and the pregame show featuring Jake Donnelly on 91.5 WUEV to begin at 5:45 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.
