Phillips' Grand Slam Highlights Otters' Win
July 28, 2019 - Frontier League (FL)
Evansville Otters News Release
EVANSVILLE, Ind. - With a three-run lead in the bottom of the fifth, Dakota Phillips launched the first grand slam of the year for the Evansville Otters Saturday as the Otters went on to defeat the Windy City Thunderbolts 8-3 to clinch a series win.
With a crowd of 3,035 at Bosse Field, the Otters were able to continue their offensive firepower from Friday's game, starting in the first inning.
Ryan Long's sac fly scored David Cronin to put the Otters in front by one.
In the top of the fourth, the Thunderbolts tied the game at one on an RBI single from Tyler Alamo.
The Otters responded in the bottom of the fourth as Cronin drove a two-RBI double to centerfield, scoring Elijah MacNamee and Hunter Cullen, and giving the Otters a 3-1 lead.
Keith Grieshaber smacked a double to right field, scoring Cronin in the process. He reached third on an error and was called out trying to touch home plate on a close call.
With one out in the bottom of the fifth, Windy City starter Cole Bellair allowed a single to Carlos Castro and walks to Rob Calabrese and Elijah MacNamee. He was then pulled in relief for Blake Hickman.
Phillips stepped to the plate and hit his seventh home run of the season and the Otters first grand slam of 2019, which broke the game open with an 8-1 Otters lead.
Bellair was credited with three of the four runs scored on the grand slam, allowing seven earned runs in 4.1 innings pitched while having four walks and two strikeouts. He was given the loss, dropping his record to 2-4.
Taisei Fukuhara hit an RBI single off Evansville starter Tyler Beardsley in the top of the sixth, but the Otters right-hander was able to exit the game without much harm.
Beardsley tossed six innings, allowing two runs on six hits while throwing five strikeouts. He earned the win, improving to 6-3 on the season.
The Thunderbolts would add another run in the ninth on an RBI double from Omar Obregon, but Drew Beyer was able to finish the ninth with a strikeout to give the Otters the victory.
Game three of the series will be on Sunday at 5:05 p.m. with Dave Nguyen (play-by-play) and Bill McKeon (analyst) on the call.
Broadcast coverage can be heard on the radio at 91.5 WUEV-FM and streamed on the Otters Digital Network via YouTube.
The Otters are celebrating their 25th anniversary season in 2019.
Sunday's game is presented by Gilda's Club.
To purchase a season ticket or group outing package, call (812) 435-8686 or visit the Bosse Field front office at 23 Don Mattingly Way, Evansville, Ind. The front office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Evansville Otters are the 2006 and 2016 Frontier League champions.
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