FL Evansville Otters

Otters Lose Lead Late, Drop Series Opener to Windy City

Published on May 24, 2013 under Frontier League (FL)
Evansville Otters News Release


(EVANSVILLE, INDIANA) - The Evansville Otters allowed four runs in the top of the ninth inning and lost 6-5 to the Windy City Thunderbolts on Friday night.

The Otters and Thunderbolts were both unable to score early against the opposing starting pitchers.

Evansville left-hander Matt Zielinski recorded a season high nine strikeouts, including six in the first three innings. Windy City pitcher Blayne Weller also struck out 12 batters in the game as well.

Evansville wouldn't score the first run of the game until Weller left the game in the sixth inning.

Outfielder John Schultz scored a run on an infield single, C.J. Henry was hit by a pitch to force in another run, and infielder Frank Martinez plated a third runner on an infield single.

Ahead 3-0, Zielinski went back to the mound in the seventh inning only to see the first two batters reach base. Zielinski would leave the game one batter later and watch as both runners scored on a single from infielder Ryan Soares.

Leading just 3-2, Evansville got some added insurance runs in the seventh with a solo home run from infielder Steve Marino and an RBI broken bat single from outfielder Deaun Williams.

After reliever Caleb Cuevas pitched a scoreless eighth inning, Evansville turned to their closer Eric Massingham with a 5-2 ninth inning lead. The first three batters of the inning reached base and Windy City tied the contest on a three-run double from Doug Joyce. Designated hitter Chad Cregar then hit an infield single scoring Joyce for the go-ahead run in the 6-5 Windy City win.

The Thunderbolts are now 3-5 with the win as the Otter's record stands at 3-4 after striking out a franchise record 18 times in the defeat.

Reliever Tyler Claburn (1-0) threw a scoreless eighth inning for the win. Massingham (0-1) blew his first save as an Evansville Otter in 46 chances as Michael Click posted the save for Windy City. The Memorial Day Weekend Series sponsored by Eastland Mall continues on Saturday night. Left-hander Ryan Zamorsky (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will start for Evansville against righty Travis Strong (0-1, 5.40 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 pm CDT at Historic Bosse Field.

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