The Evansville Otters (44-24) received three hits each from first baseman Jeremy Nowak and outfielder Dane Phillips in a 7-1 win over the Frontier Greys (32-35) on Thursday night at Bosse Field.
Right-hander Tyler Vail (8-3) pitched 6.1 innings of one-run baseball to help the Otters avoid their first possible sweep of the season.
Down 1-0, Evansville tied the game on a Frontier Greys throwing error in the third and went ahead later in the inning on a two-run single from designated hitter Nik Balog.
After yielding a run in the first, Vail settled in to keep the Greys scoreless over the next four innings. He left eight men on base through the first five innings of work.
Ahead 3-1, Vail exited the game with a jam in the seventh but reliever Connor Little persevered. The right-hander entered the game with bases loaded and one out only to strike out back to back hitters and maintain the two run lead.
Evansville then increased the lead in the bottom of the seventh with RBI singles from Phillips, Nowak and infielder Alex Cruz for a 6-1 edge. The RBI for Cruz was the first of his professional career.
The Otters added one final run in the eighth to complete a 7-1 victory.
Cruz totaled two hits on the night for Evansville. Infielder Josh Allen also scored two runs. Relievers Christian Cox and Brodie Leibrandt both made their professional debuts in the contest.
The Otters continue their six game homestand on Friday, August 7 with the series opener against the Southern Illinois Miners. It is St. Mary’s Night with a bike helmet giveaway. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. CDT
