Otters Drop Home Opening Doubleheader
May 16, 2024 - Frontier League (FL)
Evansville Otters News Release
EVANSVILLE, IN - The Evansville Otters dropped a twin bill to the Gateway Grizzlies during their 2024 home opener at historic Bosse Field. The final scores included a 5-3 finish in the opener and a 3-1 score in the nightcap.
Errors in the field proved costly for the Otters (1-5) tonight. Three mistakes in the field led to six unearned runs for the Grizzlies (3-3) en route to dropping both games.
Game 1 - Gateway 5, Evansville 3
After a one-out error in the top of the second inning, the Grizzlies jumped on the board first putting together two runs to take an early advantage. They added another on a pair of hits in the third to make it 3-0.
The Otters offense strung together a two-out rally in the bottom of the frame. After a walk from David Mendham, Jomar Reyes and newly acquired Randy Bednar went back-to-back for a pair of home runs to center and left field respectively. With the homers, the score was tied at three.
Gateway spoiled the fun in the fifth inning with another pair of unearned runs coming into score.
The offense could not muster any more runs together, and the score was finalized. Zach Smith took the loss, surrendering five runs, but just one earned.
Mendham and Reyes had multi-hit games. In his Otters debut, Bednar reached three times with a pair of walks.
Game 2 - Gateway 3, Evansville 1
In the final game, scoring came few and far between in the pitchers duel. In the third inning, Gateway punched first with a two-out, two-run home run. Both runs were unearned after an error earlier in the frame.
They added in the fifth with their second home run of the game. This time, a solo shot.
The Otters only run came in the bottom of the fifth inning. With runners on second and third, Mendham grounded into a fielder's choice RBI to bring home Bryan Rosario.
Taking the hard-luck loss was the starter Braden Scott. Despite his dominant display on the mound while going the distance, he allowed three runs (one earned). He did not allow a walk and struck out six.
Riley Delgado had a two-hit performance to lead the way in the nightcap.
Evansville looks to avoid the sweep and regain momentum in their six-game home stand tomorrow as they finalize the three-game set with the Grizzlies at 6:35 PM CT.
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.
For more information, visit evansvilleotters.com or call (812) 435-8686.
Frontier League Stories from May 16, 2024
- Otters Capitalize to Grab Series Finale - Evansville Otters
- Grizzlies Fall in Evansville Finale - Gateway Grizzlies
- Grizzlies Fall in Evansville Finale - Gateway Grizzlies
- Titans Swept in Doubleheader by Jackals - Ottawa Titans
- Game Postponed - New York Boulders
- Florence Pulls Away from ThunderBolts in Rubber Match - Windy City ThunderBolts
- ValleyCats to Face Wild Things in Opening Homestand - Tri-City ValleyCats
- Series Finale in Brockton Canceled - Washington Wild Things
- Knockouts, Wild Things Postponed - New England Knockouts
- Otters Drop Home Opening Doubleheader - Evansville Otters
- Grizzlies Sweep Doubleheader in Evansville - Gateway Grizzlies
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