EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Trailing by a run and facing their final out in the pouring rain, the Evansville Otters (51-28) received a walk-off, two-run home run from outfielder Kurt Wertz Jr. to defeat the Rockford Aviators (42-37) 4-3 on Wednesday night.
The home run occurred after the Otters surrendered the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh inning and helped Evansville win their third consecutive game.
In what was scheduled as a doubleheader, game two was postponed due to rain.
Evansville outfielder Chris Sweeney made a run-saving diving catch in the top of the first and plated a run with an RBI single in the bottom half of the inning.
Down 1-0, Rockford tied the contest in the third on a bases loaded walk.
The Otters then regained the lead in the fourth on a sacrifice fly from infielder Cory Urquhart in the fourth.
Behind by one, the Aviators evened up the score on a Josh Davis sixth inning home run and went up on a Brian Bistagne run producing single in the seventh. Otters outfielder Dane Phillips was injured on the play and replaced by Wertz Jr. who homered for the win in the bottom half of the inning.
Neither starting pitcher factored into the decision including Otters right-hander Trevor Walch who yielded just two runs in 6.0 innings. The winning pitcher is reliever Conor Little (4-5) who gave up one run in as many innings.
The home run for Wertz Jr. was his seventh this season.
Infielder Josh Allen’s nine game hitting streak ended with an 0-for-4 game.
The Otters conclude their six game homestand on Thursday, August 20 against the Aviators. It is Budweiser Thirsty Thursday with drink specials throughout the contest. First pitch is set for 5:35 p.m. CDT. Fans can purchase tickets by calling the team’s front office at 812.435.8686 or online at EvansvilleOtters.com .
