FL Evansville Otters

Otters Finally Tame Grizzlies, win 15-11 in Extras

June 30, 2009 - Frontier League (FL)
Evansville Otters News Release


Sauget, IL - The Otters ultimately prevailed in a back and forth game 15-11 in 12 innings Monday night over the Gateway Grizzlies at GCS Ballpark.

The Otters broke open a 5-5 game in the seventh inning when Jeremy Strack tripled with one out and scored on Josh Howard's single up the middle. One batter later, Greg Alexander launched his sixth home run of the year over the left field fence, giving the Otters an 8-5 lead.

The Grizzlies answered in the bottom of the inning, scoring three runs on a walk, a single, and back to back doubles. The game would not be tied for long though, as Frank Meade hit a solo home run to lead off the eighth inning. The Otters added one more in the ninth when Dustin Koca doubled in Josh Howard.

A 10-8 lead in the bottom of the ninth would not be enough though. Jareck West reached on an error, and closer Justin Smith struck out the next two batters. With two outs and West on first, Brandon Peters hit a two-run home run over the right-centerfield fence, tying the game at 10-10.

The Otters went ahead again in the eleventh on another Dustin Koca two-out RBI double, scoring Josh Howard. The Grizzlies would not go quietly, as Chad Rothford led off the bottom of the eleventh with a walk. Pinch runner Chris McClendon came on to run and took second base on a Ben Paxton wild pitch. McClendon scored on Breck Drapers single to right field, tying the game at 11-11. Draper advanced to second base on the throw home, and stood in scoring position with Brandon Johnson coming to the plate. Johnson singled to left, and Draper was waved around third base. Left fielder Jeremy Strack made a miraculous throw, fielding the ball with his momentum moving toward second base. The throw hit catcher Frank Meade on the fly right at home plate, a moment before Draper arrived. Meade applied the tag and spun away from a charging Draper, trying to dislodge the ball. Brandon Peters then flew out to left field to end the inning.

Moments after saving the Otters from defeat, Strack delivered the game winning hit, a single that scored Adam Kampsen from second base. The Otters would add three more on a Javier Brown two-run double. Brown took the final two bases on two throwing errors on the play.

Paxton pitched an uneventful twelfth inning, recording his first professional victory. Grizzlies' reliever Kevin Hammon picked up the loss in his second professional appearance.

The Otters (11-25) head home to take on the River City Rascals Tuesday night at 7:05pm CDT.

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Frontier League Stories from June 30, 2009


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