Otters Split Doubleheader Against Freedom 4-2, 2-3
Published on July 9, 2015 under Frontier League (FL)
Evansville Otters News Release
Florence, KY- The Evansville Otters (30-18) could not complete the season sweep of the Florence Freedom (21-27), taking the first game of tonight's doubleheader 4-2, but dropping the second 3-2.
Game One went well for the Otters although it did not start off on the right foot. Sam Eberle hit his fifth home run of the season in the bottom of the second to put the Freedom ahead 1-0, but the Otters stormed right back, to the tune of four runs in the top of the third to take a commanding 4-1 advantage.
John Schultz was the first batter of the inning and worked the walk. Josh Allen followed and did the same. The two each moved up 90 feet on a wild pitch by Freedom starter Casey Henn, and Schultz scored the first run of the game for the Otters on yet another wild pitch, tying the game 1-1. Shayne Houck, who was at the plate during the wild pitch barrage, worked the third consecutive walk to put runners on the corners for Dane Phillips. Phillips took the first pitch of the at bat and bombed it well over the field in right, a three run shot, putting the Otters ahead 4-1.
Will Oliver, who started the game for the Otters, allowed a run in the fifth inning but nothing else the rest of the way. He picked up his sixth win of the season and his third complete game, although by allowing two earned runs in the outing, saw his ERA bump to 1.78.
Phillips singled home a run in the top of the first inning in Game Two, giving the Otters yet another advantage, but Preston Olson, the starter for the Otters in Game Two allowed a run in the bottom of the second. The Otters took it back in the top of the fourth inning on an RBI fielder's choice by JD Dorgan.
The lead would not last long though as Olson was rapped for two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. After a pair of singles put men at the corners for the Freedom, Collins Cuthrell ripped a double down the left field line, turning a 2-1 Otters lead into a 3-2 Freedom advantage. The Otters would get a couple of flyballs to the track in their next two at bats, but nothing more, dropping the final game of the season against the Freedom 3-2.
Olson drops to 5-3 on the season with the loss, despite collecting a quality start as Tony Vocca improved to 3-0 with the win.
Dane Phillips drove in six runs in the series and has now driven in eight runs in the past five games, including a pair of home runs. John Schultz' streak of eight straight games with a run scored was snapped in Game Two of the doubleheader, but has now hit safely in nine straight games.
The Otters now head back to Evansville on Friday to face the Lake Erie Crushers to finish off the first half of their season with additional games on Saturday and Sunday. Fans can purchase tickets by calling the team's front office at 812.435.8686 or online at EvansvilleOtters.com. For all of the latest information on the Otters, log on to EvansvilleOtters.com or follow the team's twitter account @EvilleOtters.
Frontier League Stories from July 9, 2015
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