Evansville Earns First Sweep In Extra Innings Victory
July 20, 2011 - Frontier League (FL)
Evansville Otters News Release
(FLORENCE, Kentucky) - Catcher Phil Britton hit a leadoff home run in the top of the 10th inning that prooved to be the game-winner in an Evansville Otters 6-5, 10 inning victory, over the Florence Freedom.
It was the first sweep of the season for the Otters this season.
Both teams scored a run in the second inning and Evansville surged ahead with two more runs in the third.
Shortstop Greg Fontenot brought home another run on an RBI single in the next inning as the Otters led the Florence Freedom 4-1.
But the home team started to rally back against the Evansville bullpen. Florence scored a run in the sixth and seventh innings and only trailed by a run at that point in the game.
Up 4-3, Otters' Outfielder Greg Alexander added an insurance run for Evansville in the eighth inning on an RBI double.
Down by two runs, the Freedom loaded up the bases in the bottom half of the inning on an infield single, a catcher's interference that forced catcher Billy Killian to leave one batter later, and a walk. Closer Eric Massingham entered the game to give up a sacrifice fly and a fielder's choice. The bases were then loaded with two outs as a light tower went dark in right field. The game was delayed for 19 minutes but didn't stop the right-hander as he returned to get a strikeout and a lineout to end the inning.
Trailing 5-4, Florence would eventually tie the game in the ninth inning on a sacrifice fly and nearly won the game had it not been for a groundout. Otters' first baseman Mike Durant bobbled the ball hit down the line, recovered and flipped to Eric Massingham who just stepped on the base in time to force extra innings.
Britton then hit his leadoff home run to begin the 10th inning and reliever Joey Satriano worked his way around a leadoff single to secure the Evansville Otters 6-5 extra-innings win.
Evansville keeps winning and improves to 18-36 this season. Florence stumbles to 24-29.
Both starters did not factor into the decision including Evansville right-hander Scott Kelley, who allowed just one run on two hits in five innings. Closer Eric Massingham (2-1), who blew the save earlier in the game, earns the win. He allowed one run over two innings. The loss goes to reliever Chad Robinson (2-1) who yielded his only run in his only inning of work in the 10th. Reliever Joey Satriano recorded his first professional save, a day after earning his first professional win.
The Evansville Otters will now travel to Normal, Illinois to begin a series with the CornBelters on Thursday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CDT at the Corn Crib as Evansville eyes their first four game winning streak of the season.
For more information on America's game and Evansville's team, please visit the Otters' official website at http://www.evansvilleotters.com . Fans can also call the team's front office at (812) 435-8686 about ticket information and any upcoming promotions.
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