FL Evansville Otters

Otters Win 3-1

Published on June 26, 2015 under Frontier League (FL)
Evansville Otters News Release


Avon, OH- While the reigning MVP of the Frontier League, Shayne Houck, has missed the last six games, it has been the pitching that has propelled the Otters towards wins and Will Oliver put up another impressive performance, allowing just one unearned run over seven innings while the Otters took away a 3-1 victory at All Pro Freight Stadium on Friday Night.

Oliver did not complete a single 1-2-3 inning on the night, but the defense behind him turned a couple of double plays in the first three frames to keep him out of trouble. The offense pitched in with a pair of runs in the top of the second as Jeremy Nowak and Kurt Wertz Jr. reached on a single and a walk before Cory Urquhart doubled to deep left to plate the first run of the game. Mike Jurgella's first professional RBI on a sacrifice fly to left made it a 2-0 lead for the Otters on the windy night in Avon, OH.

Oliver kept the Crushers off the board until the bottom of the fifth inning when the Crushers took advantage of a passed ball from Jurgella and a single by Anderson Hidalgo to cut the lead in half.

The Otters got the run back in the top of the seventh thanks to some timely small ball and an error by the Crushers. Wertz Jr. started the seventh with a rocket single back up the middle before a flyout by Urquhart. Jurgella continued to show his skill at the plate, dropping a surprise bunt down the first baseline to put runners at first and second with one out. Dean Wilson followed with a bunt of his own, but Crushers' pitcher, Brad Duffy, rushed while making the throw and airmailed first base, firing it into the stands and allowing the Wertz Jr. to score the third run of the game for the Otters.

Edgar Lopez was called on for the ninth time this season to try and save the game for the Otters and despite allowing the first two batters to reach was able to do just that. Austin Prott came up with runners on first and second and Lopez induced a one-hopper to third that Wilson snared, stepped on third tossed across the diamond. Although the through was low and up the line, Nik Balog stretched out and made the pick on the backhand to complete the 5-3 double play. Lopez did not need the defense's help for the final out, striking out Ty Nelson on a 3-2 slider to end the game.

Will Oliver went seven innings and despite allowing ten hits, just one unearned run while issuing three free passes and striking out five to improve his record to 4-2, dropping his ERA to 1.92. It was Todd Kibby's first decision of the season and he drops to 0-1 while Edgar Lopez has yet to allow an earned run all season and is now nine for nine in save situations.

Tomorrow night's game is scheduled for 6:05 pm CDT with the pregame show with Jake Donnelly starting at 5:45 pm CDT. The next home game for the Otters is next Wednesday when the Otters will hoist the Windy City Thunderbolts for a doubleheader starting at 5:35 pm CDT.

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.

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Frontier League Stories from June 26, 2015


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