The Evansville Otters (20-12) split a doubleheader with the Traverse City Beach Bums on Saturday night, winning the opener 6-2 but falling in the finale 1-0.
Outfielder John Schultz homered twice in the game one win as both Evansville pitchers, Efrain Nieves and Will Oliver, threw complete games in the doubleheader.
Down 2-0 in the first game, Evansville tied the contest with a two-run home run from Schultz in the third.
Even at two, the Otters leapt ahead in the fourth inning with an RBI single from infielder Josh Allen and extended the advantage with another run scoring single by designated hitter Kurt Wertz Jr.
Up 4-2, Allen struck again with another RBI single in the fifth and Schultz homered again in the sixth.
Nieves (4-1) utilized the late runs to his advantage, going the full 7.0 innings for the victory. He yielded just two runs on five hits for his second complete game of the season.
Schultz finished the opener 2-for-4 with two home runs, two runs scored and three runs batted in. Allen also collected two hits with a run scored and two RBIs.
Traverse City also took a lead in the second game with a third inning RBI groundout from Jose Vargas. It was the lone run of the doubleheader finale.
Down 1-0, Evansville was unable to tally a run against Traverse City pitching. Beach Bums starter Kramer Champlin (3-2) threw 6.0 scoreless innings for the win and closer Andrew Brockett (10th save) retired the side in order in the bottom of the seventh for the doubleheader split.
Schultz tallied another double in the final game. First baseman Nik Balog had the only other hit of the contest.
The Otters and Beach Bums complete the three game series on Sunday, June 21. First pitch is set for 5:05 p.m. CDT at Bosse Field. Fans can purchase tickets by calling the team’s front office at 812.435.8686 or online at EvansvilleOtters.com.
