Otters Set Franchise Wins Record in Doubleheader Split vs. Florence
August 31, 2014 - Frontier League (FL)
Evansville Otters News Release
(EVANSVILLE, INDIANA) - The Evansville Otters (55-35) achieved a new franchise single season wins record (55) in their doubleheader split of the Florence Freedom on Sunday night. Evansville lost the opening game of the doubleheader 6-4 before holding on late for the 3-0 win in the finale.
The win surpasses the 2004 Otters for the most in the 20-year history of the franchise. Evansville is now within a half game of the Southern Illinois Miners for first place in the Frontier League East Division.
The Otters fell behind 6-1 in the opening game before staging a three-run rally in the fifth. Outfielder J.R. Higley hit an RBI single to right field and outfielder Chris Elder followed with a two-run double to pull within two runs. Pitcher Chuck Weaver then struck out the next two batters to end the inning. Relievers Daniel DeSimone and Ed Kohout threw the final 2.0 scoreless innings to secure the game one win.
Evansville right-handed pitcher Connor Little (2-1) took the loss in the opener, going 4.2 innings and allowing a season high six runs on 10 hits. Higley finished 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI.
The Otters started righty Edgar Lopez in game two. He pitched 4.1 innings, striking out a career-high six batters. He limited the Freedom to just two walks and three hits in the no decision.
Evansville leapt ahead 1-0 with a solo home run from catcher Kolin Conner in the third inning. Otters reliever Anthony Collazo maintained the lead getting out of a two runner jam in the fifth and closer Eric Massingham escaped a bases loaded Florence rally in the sixth.
Evansville tacked on two more runs in the sixth with a bases loaded walk and fielder's choice. Massingham then continued to pitch a scoreless seventh inning for his seventh save and the Otters historic victory over Florence.
Evansville is off on Monday before beginning their final regular season series at Washington on Tuesday. The four game series begins with a doubleheader at Consol Energy Park. Evansville will have left-hander Jose Velez (2-4, 2.47 ERA) going in game one with righty Will Oliver (3-0, 1.68 ERA) scheduled to pitch in game two. Both games are scheduled for seven innings with first pitch set for 5:05 pm CDT. Fans can listen in to the game live on WUEV 91.5 FM beginning with the pre-game show at 4:45 pm CDT.
Frontier League Stories from August 31, 2014
- Grizzlies Swept by Washington in Home Finale - Gateway Grizzlies
- Otters Set Franchise Wins Record in Doubleheader Split vs. Florence - Evansville Otters
- Freedom Split Double Header with Otters - Florence Y'alls
- Washington Finishes Season Sweep of Gateway with 6-0 Win - Washington Wild Things
- Miners Explode Early To Sweep Normal - Southern Illinois Miners
- Slammers Win 5-4 with Two Runs in the 9th vs Frontier on Sunday - Joliet Slammers
- ThunderBolts Snap Eight-Game Losing Streak with 5-4 Win over Schaumburg - Windy City ThunderBolts
- Miners Again Explode Early to Complete Sweep of CornBelters - Normal CornBelters
- Boomers Record Streak Ends at Windy City - Schaumburg Boomers
- Tripp Triumphs over Rockford 4-1 - Traverse City Beach Bums
- Offense Lacks as Aviators Fall 4-1 - Rockford Aviators
- Frontier League Announces Postseason Accolades - Washington Wild Things
- Otters Host Doubleheader on Final Home Date of the Season - Evansville Otters
- Houck, McCauley Receive Frontier League Postseason Awards - Evansville Otters
- Matt Bywater Named Pitcher of the Year - Southern Illinois Miners
- Sam Eberle Named Frontier League Post-Season All-Star - Florence Y'alls
- Slammers' Max Casper wins Frontier League Citizenship Award - Joliet Slammers
- August 31 Florence Freedom Double Header Game Notes - Florence Y'alls
- Freedom and Otters to Play Double Header Sunday - Florence Y'alls
- Rascals Outlast Crushers, 9-6 - River City Rascals
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