Otters One Win Away from Postseason Berth After Defeating CornBelters
August 31, 2018 - Frontier League (FL)
Evansville Otters News Release
NORMAL, Ill. - The Evansville Otters are now just one win away from a third consecutive postseason berth after the Otters cruised to an 8-3 victory over the Normal CornBelters on Friday night at the Corn Crib.
The Otters are still tied for first place in the Western Division with the River City Rascals, who defeated the Florence Freedom 8-0 Friday night.
Evansville came out swinging early, plating five runs on six hits in the top of the first innings. Travis Harrison brought home the first run of the game with an RBI knock, and he was followed by Carlos Castro who also singled in a run. Mike Rizzitello hit a grounder to third base with the bases loaded that Normal tried to get the force out at second base on, but J.J Gould beat the throw to second allowing a run to score. Hunter Cullen then lined an RBI single and David Cronin capped off the inning with an RBI single, his second hit of the frame.
Normal responded with an RBI single from Derrick Loveless in the bottom of the first.
Evansville tacked on two more runs in the fourth. With Cullen at first, Cronin laid down a bunt base hit which was thrown away by Normal third baseman Michael Baca. That error allowed Cullen to score and Cronin to go to third. Ryan Long then grounded out to second to plate Cronin and put Evansville up 7-1.
Long picked up his second RBI of the game with a run scoring single in the sixth to make it 8-1 Evansville.
Chris Iriart hit a solo homer in the bottom of the sixth to get one run back for the CornBelters.
Loveless knocked an RBI single to left to garner his second run batted in of the game and make the score 8-3 in favor of Evansville.
The Otters held on from there, with Tanner Cable and Garrett Harris throwing a scoreless eighth and ninth respectively to seal the 8-3 win for the Otters.
Ty Hensley gets the win, his second on the season for Evansville. Hensley went a career-high six innings, allowing two runs on six hits and four walks while striking out six.
Anthony Herrera takes the loss for the CornBelters after allowing five runs in .2 of an inning. Herrera gave up five hits and one walk without recording a strikeout.
The series between the Otters and CornBelters continues tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. at the Corn Crib where Austin Nicely will get the start for the Otters.
Coverage of the series with the CornBelters can be found on WUEV 91.5 FM presented by Kruckemeyer & Cohn with Sam Jellinek on the call.
The Evansville Otters are the 2006 and 2016 Frontier League champions. Playoff packages are on sale now for potential postseason games at Bosse Field and can be purchased by calling 812-435-8686 or at the Bosse Field box office.
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.
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Frontier League Stories from August 31, 2018
- CornBelters Eliminated from Playoff Contention with Loss to Otters - Normal CornBelters
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- Miners Rally to Beat Grizzlies, Clinch Winning Season - Southern Illinois Miners
- Rascals Bite Freedom in Series Opener - Florence Y'alls
- Grizzlies Fall to Miners in Opener - Gateway Grizzlies
- Otters One Win Away from Postseason Berth After Defeating CornBelters - Evansville Otters
- Rascals Blank Freedom Behind Ortiz's Gem - River City Rascals
- East Division Magic Number Stays at 1 - Washington Wild Things
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- Beach Bums Fall to Windy City to Open Final Weekend of Season - Traverse City Beach Bums
- ThunderBolts Use Big Innings to Take Game One at Traverse City - Windy City ThunderBolts
- Playoff Pass and Picnic Specials Available Now - Evansville Otters
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