Saves leader Massingham to be inducted into Frontier League Hall of Fame

Former Evansville reliever Eric Massingham is one of seven 2018 inductees going into the Frontier League Hall of Fame, the league announced Friday.

Massingham, the league’s all-time saves leader with 70, spent four seasons with the Otters from 2011-14. Over that span, he appeared in 116 games, pitched 128 1/3 innings and finished with a 1.68 ERA. He also stuck out 137 batters.

“Eric not only was one of the best relievers in the league, he is among the highest character individuals I’ve come across in all my years of baseball,” Otters manager Andy McCauley said. “I congratulate him on his well deserved induction.”

Signed by former player procurement director Kevin Cope, Massingham arrived in Evansville after spending time in the Philadelphia Phillies organization.

Splitting time between Williamsport and Lakewood from 2009-10, Massingham went 7-3 with a 2.70 ERA in 47 games. In 86 2/3 innings of affiliated baseball, he struck out 82 batters.

“He took over the closing job here from day one and I had confidence in him in  the seasons that followed,” McCauley said. “It was an absolute advantage knowing we needed a lead after eight innings.

“It shortened the opposing team out of an inning every time out.”

In addition to the Otters, Massingham spent time with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League in 2011 and Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks of the American Association in 2012.

He also competed overseas in the off-season, playing for the Canberra Calvary of the Australian Baseball League in 2012 and 2013.

A Benicia, Calif. native, Massingham was drafted in the 25th round of the 2009 MLB Amateur Draft by the Phillies from California Polytechnic State University.

The 2018 Frontier League Hall of Fame luncheon and induction ceremony will be held at the Trigg Banquet Center in O’Fallon, Mo. on Wednesday, July 11, at 11:30 a.m.