Otters Fall in Battle of First Place Teams
June 25, 2013 - Frontier League (FL)
Evansville Otters News Release
(SAUGET, ILLINOIS) -The Evansville Otters (21-12) lost the series opener at the Gateway Grizzlies 7-1 on Tuesday night.
With the loss and a Traverse City victory, Evansville is now in second place by 0.5 games.
Gateway and Evansville were scoreless over the first two innings until the Otters took a third inning lead.
Outfielder J.R. Higley and catcher John Nester both led off with singles and advanced into scoring position on a throwing error. Higley scored on a John Schultz sacrifice fly later in the inning.
Pitcher Matt Zielinski (4-1) took the 1-0 lead into the bottom of the third but was unable to maintain the advantage. A bases loaded fielder's choice tied up the game and an RBI double from Chris McClendon propelled Gateway to a 2-1 edge. Catcher Landon Hernandez followed with a two-run, ground rule double later in the inning to complete a four run frame.
Down 4-1, Evansville tried to get clicking offensively but Gateway pitcher Tucker Jensen (4-1) retired 15 consecutive batters at one point.
The Gateway Grizzlies would add another run in the sixth inning and another two runs in the eighth for a 7-1 lead.
Tucker gave way to reliever Richard Barrett in the ninth inning who preserved the six run victory for Gateway.
Outfielder J.R. Higley finished with one hit and one run scored for the Otters. Infielder Chris Munoz also recorded his first professional hit in the defeat.
Zielinski takes the loss for Evansville, allowing five runs in 6.0 innings pitched.
Evansville will look to tie up the series on Wednesday night at GCS Ballpark. Evansville has left-hander Ryan Zamorsky (4-1, 1.43 Earned Run Average) on the mound against righty Tim Brown (4-2, 2.32 ERA).
First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm CDT.
Fans can listen in to the radio broadcast of the game on WUEV 91.5 FM starting at 6:45 pm CDT.
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