Seven Run Fifth, Four Home Runs Fuel Evansville 13-1 Win
Published on July 30, 2014 under Frontier League (FL)
Evansville Otters News Release
(O'FALLON, MISSOURI) - A seven run fifth inning and a season-high tying four home runs propelled the first place Evansville Otters (39-23) to a 13-1 victory at the first place River City Rascals (39-25) on Wednesday night.
All-star infielder Shayne Houck homered twice and recorded five runs batted in the 12 run victory. It is the second multi-home run game this season for Houck who now has 16 home runs, tied with Jeff Goldbach (2006) and Frank Meade (2009) for third most in Otter single season franchise history.
Evansville got ahead in the second inning when Nik Balog reached on a two-base fielding error and scored on a Chris Elder double. It was the first of two hits in the game for Elder, giving Evansville the 1-0 edge. Elder also scored later in the inning on a passed ball to put the Rascals down 2-0.
Right-hander Preston Olson (5-3) left five men on base in the first three innings against River City, maintaining the two run lead.
After Koons retired eight batters in a row, the Otters then responded with eight straight batters reaching to begin the fifth inning. Outfielder J.R. Higley was hit by a pitch to start the inning and catcher Kolin Conner singled. Both men scored when infielder Cory Urquhart dropped down a sacrifice bunt that Koons fielded and threw wildly to left field. Houck hit a three run home run later in the inning as Evansville took a 9-0 advantage to the bottom of the inning.
River City got their only run in the fifth on a Joe Staley RBI single. Olson ended the night with 5.0 innings, allowing just one run on six hits.
All-Star infielder Josh Allen belted a solo home run in the sixth as Houck and first baseman Nik Balog both homered in the ninth for the 13-1 final.
Game two of the series will be played on Thursday night at T.R. Hughes Ballpark in O'Fallon, Missouri. Evansville will have the left-hander Conor Kerins (0-0, 5.40 ERA) on the mound against River City righty Jose Samayoa (1-0, 0.00). First pitch is 7:05 pm CDT. The game will be broadcast live on WUEV 91.5 FM. Announcer Mike Radomski will have the call beginning with the pregame show at 6:45 pm CDT.
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