Simpson Throws Quality Start as Otters Fall in Finale
June 26, 2025 - Frontier League (FL)
Evansville Otters News Release
SAUGET, Ill. - The Evansville Otters (18-23) lost a heartbreaker against the Gateway Grizzlies (24-17) via a ninth inning walk-off, 2-1.
The Otters sent Garrett Simpson to the mound for his second professional start and he bounced back in a big way. He allowed a leadoff single followed by a soft fly out and a double play. Thanks to the double play, he faced the minimum through the first three innings.
Evansville jumped out in front for the third time in this series with a Devid Mendham two-out double. Parks Bouck, who reached in front of him with a walk, made a crafty slide at home to avoid the tag.
Simpson pitched a clean fourth, but ran into some trouble in the fifth. A one-out walk followed by a bloop double scored the tying run. Simpson finished the fifth clean and worked a quick sixth to finish his day. He secured his first professional quality start, only allowing three hits and one run.
Nolan Thebiay followed Simpson and, while working through slight command issues, pitched 1.2 innings without allowing a run. Nick McAuliffe came in to finish the eighth, recording the final out.
After a scoreless ninth from Evansville, Alex Valdez came on in the ninth. He allowed a leadoff double, followed by a sacrifice bunt. Valdez fielded the ball but overthrew first and the runner from second scored, giving Gateway a 2-1 victory.
Though Evansville's bats struggled a bit, Mendham stayed hot, going 2-for-3 with a walk. The defense recorded three double plays after they had four Wednesday night, helping Evansville record their fourth straight quality start.
The Otters are back in action tomorrow night at 6:35 p.m. CT as they host the Florence Y'alls for the first time this year. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for Video Game Night, sponsored by Meijer and the Boys & Girls Club, with postgame fireworks to kick off the homestand.
All games can be heard on 96.9 WYIR and the Otters Digital Network and can be viewed live on the HomeTeam Network.
The Evansville Otters are the 2006 and 2016 Frontier League champions.
The Otters play all home games at historic Bosse Field, located at 23 Don Mattingly Way in Evansville, Ind. Stay up to date with the Evansville Otters by visiting evansvilleotters.com, or follow the Otters on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
For more information, visit evansvilleotters.com or call (812) 435-8686.
Frontier League Stories from June 26, 2025
- Grizzlies Walk off Otters on Error in Ninth - Gateway Grizzlies
- Simpson Throws Quality Start as Otters Fall in Finale - Evansville Otters
- Tacos and Tequila Festival Saturday - Washington Wild Things
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