With five runs in the final two innings, the Evansville Otters came storming back to top the Gateway Grizzlies 7-6 in the rubber match of the series at Bosse Field on Thursday evening at Bosse Field in front of 1,540 fans.
Jeff Cardenas opened the scoring with an RBI single in the top of the second inning to put the Grizzlies up 1-0.
Shane Mardirosian pushed the lead to 2-0 with an RBI single in the third, before an RBI groundout from Cam Adams made it a 3-0game in favor of the Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies tacked on another run in the fifth on another RBI single from Mardirosian.
The Otters cut the deficit in half on a Toby Thomas two-run double in the bottom of the sixth.
Gateway got those runs back immediately in the top of the seventh on Brent Sakurai’s two-run single.
The Otters made it a one-run game with three runs in the eighth. Joe DeLuca got the scoring started with an RBI double. Hunter Cullen then drove in a run with a groundout before Manny Cruz cut the deficit to 6-5 with an RBI single to right.
In the ninth, Ryan Long lead off with a double off the right-field wall. Thomas walked to put runners at first and second before Jeff Gardner singled to right to tie the game at 6-6. After an intentional walk to Joe Lytle loaded the bases, DeLuca lifted a ball to left that was deep enough to score Thomas from third and win the game for the Otters on the sacrifice fly 7-6.
Tyler Beardsley gets the win for the Otters, his second, after throwing a scoreless ninth.
Josh Glick is hit with the loss for the second straight game after allowing two runs on two hits in 0.1 sinning.
Otters starter Tyler Vail gets the no-decision after tossing 4.1 innings and allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out four.
Taso Stathopoulos also receives a no decision as he threw 5.1 innings and allowed two runs on five hits.
The nine-game homestand for the Otters will now finish with a three-game series against the River City Rascals. The series against the Rascals will be highlighted by Edward Jones Night and postgame fireworks, Heritage Federal Credit Union hat giveaway and Boy Scout Night, and another family fun day. Tickets are still available at evansvilleotters.com or by calling 812-435- 8686.
