Lake Erie Eeks out Series Opening Win 7-5 over Otters
Published on August 2, 2014 under Frontier League (FL)
Evansville Otters News Release
(AVON, OHIO) - The Evansville Otters (40-25) rallied back from two deficits on Saturday night, but Lake Erie scored twice in the eighth for a 7-5 series opening win at All Pro Freight Stadium.
All-Star infielder Shayne Houck hit his Frontier League leading 17th home run of the season, moving him into third place for most in Otters single season history. He also had three RBIs in the defeat.
The Otters fell behind 2-0 early when the Crushers recorded sacrifice flies in the first and second innings.
Evansville evened up the score with back to back RBI singles from John Schultz and Houck in the third. The Otters went ahead in the fifth when Josh Allen reached on a double and Houck homered to center field.
Leading 4-2, Evansville starter Taylor Dennis retired 10 of 11 batters in a row before giving up a sixth inning home run to Vincent Mejia. Dennis then proceeded to walk the next three batters before being removed for reliever Jose Velez. The lefty then allowed a go-ahead two run single to Craig Hertler, pushing the Crushers ahead 5-4. Dennis went 5 2/3 innings, allowing five runs and eight walks in the no-decision.
Evansville tied the game in the seventh when catcher David Cruz reached on a leadoff double, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a Ryan Connolly wild pitch.
Tied at 5, Mejia led off the eighth with a foul popup to first that was dropped by first baseman Nik Balog. Mejia then hit a line drive home run to left field later in the at-bat for the 6-5 edge. Pinch hitter Ryan Hutchison added an RBI single later in the inning for the two run lead.
Evansville got the first two batters on base to begin the ninth but Cruz popped up a bunt and a line drive from Cory Urquhart was snared in center field. Both runners moved to second and third on separate steals before reliever Trevor Longfellow struck out Josh Allen to end the game.
Game two of the series will be on Sunday at 12:05 pm CDT. The Otters will have LHP Blake Monar (1-4, 5.22 ERA) on the mound. The game will be broadcast live on WUEV 91.5 FM. Announcer Mike Radomski will have the call beginning with the pregame show at 5:45 pm CDT.
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