Long's Walk-Off Gives Otters 6-5 Win over Florence
May 19, 2019 - Frontier League (FL)
Evansville Otters News Release
EVANSVILLE, Ind. - After the Florence Freedom battled back to tie the game in the top of the ninth, the Evansville Otters' Ryan Long hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth to give the Otters the series win, defeating the Florence Freedom 6-5.
In the first inning, Keith Grieshaber led off the game with a solo home run to left field to give the Otters a 1-0 lead.
Dakota Phillips' RBI single to centerfield in the third extended Evansville's lead to two.
Florence's Caleb Lopes would tie the game at two with a two-run home run in the fourth.
The Freedom took a 3-2 lead in the seventh, sending seven men to the plate, on a sacrifice fly by Luis Pintor.
The Otters responded in the eighth, with Long leading off with a game-tying solo home run over the Bud Light Lime Patio in left field. Taylor Lane followed with a single, his second hit of the day, and would score on a 400-foot home run by Phillips, giving the Otters a 5-3 lead.
In the top of the ninth, closer Tyler Vail went to the mound for his first save opportunity of the season.
Isaac Bernard led off the top of the ninth with a double. Pintor hit his second RBI of the game, scoring Bryant to make the score 5-4. Lopes added his third RBI of the afternoon, knocking in Pintor, tying the game at 5.
Hunter Cullen became the Otters' first base runner in the bottom of the ninth after he was hit by a pitch. A bunt by David Cronin forced Florence pitcher Ryan Mordecai to throw to second, but Cullen's speed was able to beat the throw.
Mordecai would be pulled, as the Freedom sent Johnathon Tripp to the mound. He was able to get Grieshaber to pop up to Lopes at second base for the first out.
After tying the game at three in the eighth, Long smacked a single through the diving Lopes at second base, scoring Cullen from second.
It would be the second walk-off for the Otters in the series.
The Otters will have Monday off before they hit the road for a six-game road trip, starting with a three-game series against the Gateway Grizzlies. First pitch from GCS Ballpark is at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday. The game can be heard on 91.5 FM WUEV with David Nguyen with the play-by-play.
The next homestand at Bosse Field for the Otters will May 28-30, featuring $2 Tuesday, Deaconess Skilled Nursing Facility Night, and Bud Light Thirsty Thursday with postgame fireworks show presented by Hoosier Lottery and Junior League of Evansville.
To purchase a season ticket or group outing package, call (812) 435-8686 or visit the Bosse Field front office at 23 Don Mattingly Way, Evansville, Ind. The front office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Evansville Otters are the 2006 and 2016 Frontier League champions.
The Otters play all home games at historic Bosse Field, located at 23 Don Mattingly Way in Evansville, Ind. Stay up-to-date with the Evansville Otters by visiting evansvilleotters.com, or follow the Otters on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Frontier League Stories from May 19, 2019
- Miners Come Back Late to Sweep Windy City - Southern Illinois Miners
- Grizzlies Come Back, But Fall Late in Finale - Gateway Grizzlies
- Rascals Win Wild Finale over Grizzlies - River City Rascals
- Miners Sweep ThunderBolts out of Marion - Windy City ThunderBolts
- Washington Drops Finale to Crushers - Washington Wild Things
- Freedom Fight Back But Fall to Otters in Finale - Florence Y'alls
- Long's Walk-Off Gives Otters 6-5 Win over Florence - Evansville Otters
- Pitching Duel by Hoffman Ends in 5-1 Loss - Joliet Slammers
- Second Straight Late Rally Sends Boomers to Series Victory - Schaumburg Boomers
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