The Evansville Otters used a 10-run seventh inning to beat the Joliet Slammers 10-5 in Friday’s series opener at Bosse Field.
Both starting pitchers came out strong, tossing three scoreless innings each to begin the game and Otters starting pitcher Max Duval recorded six strikeouts in the process.
The Slammers would strike first in the top of the fourth.
A Melvin Rodriguez RBI single scored the first run of the game, giving the Slammers a 1-0 lead.
Rodriguez would later score behind a two-run home run by Spencer Navin, pushing the Slammers lead to 3-0.
Joliet extended the advantage to 4-0 in the sixth when Navin scored Josh Merrigan on an RBI single.
The Otters offense would come alive in the seventh.
Jeff Gardner hit a solo home run to right field to cut the deficit to 4-1.
Following back-to-back singles from Nick Walker and Ryan Long, Christopher Riopedre scored Walker with an RBI single to make it a 4-2 game.
Brandon Soat tied the game with an RBI single and throwing error by Joliet, scoring Long and Riopedre.
A one hour, 44 minute rain delay paused the game in the seventh.
Once play resumed, the Otters picked up right where they left off.
Dane Phillips had an RBI single that scored Soat, giving the Otters a lead at 5-4. John Schultz’s bases-loaded walk made it 6-4.
Gardner would provide Evansville with some insurance runs as he hit an RBI double to left field, scoring Phillips and Alejandro Segovia.
With an 8-4 lead, Walker hit an RBI single, allowing Schultz and Gardner to score.
Evansville scored all ten runs in the bottom of the seventh, a season-high for one inning.
The Slammers would add a sacrifice fly in the eighth.
Duval took a no-decision, going six innings and surrendering four runs. He struck out 11 while recording his fifth game of the season with 10 or more strikeouts.
Reliever Hasten Freeman earned the win for Evansville, moving to 2-1 on the year.
Joliet starter Duke von Schamann also took a no-decision while Jordan Wellander was handed the loss.
Evansville and Joliet return to action at Bosse Field Saturday for a doubleheader, starting at 5:35 p.m.
Tickets for Saturday against Joliet are still available by going to evansvilleotters.com or calling 812-435-8686.
On Saturday, Heritage Federal Credit Union celebrates A League of Their Own’s 25th anniversary with a special 5:35 p.m. doubleheader and jersey auction. Plus, the first 1,000 fans will receive a hat courtesy of Heritage Federal.
Fans can listen live on 91.5 FM WUEV and watch on the Otters Digital Network. Lucas Corley (play-by-play) will provide coverage.
