EVANSVILLE, Ind. –The Evansville Otters (51-30) were swept in a doubleheader by the visiting Rockford Aviators (44-37) on Thursday night, falling in the opening game 5-1 and dropped a 5-2 decision in the finale.
In the opener, Evansville fell behind after allowing an unearned run in the first and two more unearned runs in the third. The Otters cut the deficit down with a sacrifice fly from infielder Cory Urquhart in the bottom of the inning.
Up 3-1, Rockford tallied two more runs in the sixth on their way to the four run victory.
Evansville pitcher Hunter Ackerman (1-5) took the loss, yielding five runs (two earned) in 6.0 innings. His seven strikeouts tied a season high (Aug. 13). The Otters scattered four hits in the contest but committed three defensive errors.
The Otters also fell behind in game two when Rockford scored once in the second, two times in the third and a pair of runs in the fifth.
Trailing by five, Evansville closes the gap with a two-run home run from designated hitter John Schultz in the bottom of the fifth.
Behind 5-2, the Otters were unable to bring the tying run to the plate in the seventh as Rockford claimed the doubleheader.
Evansville pitcher Tyler Vail (8-4) took the loss, allowing five runs (four earned) in 6.0 innings. He had seven strikeouts compared to just one walk.
Schultz finished 2-for-4 in the final game, the only Otter to record a multi-hit game in either contest.
The Otters begin a three-game roadtrip at River City on Friday, August 21. Evansville is back at home for a doubleheader against the Frontier Greys on Wednesday, August 26. It is $1 box of popcorn night at Bosse Field with first pitch 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 .
