The Otters were able to get the offense rolling in the bottom of the first inning and provide early run support to Welch.
With one out and runners on first and second, Elijah MacNamee hit an RBI single to score Keith Grieshaber from second.
Taylor Lane followed with another RBI single that scored Ryan Long from second, giving the Otters’ an early 2-0 lead.
Evansville scored one more in the second on a sac fly by David Cronin and another run in the fourth on an error by the Grizzlies, pushing the Otters’ advantage to 4-0 after four.
Welch would be in full control from there, showing his dominance on the mound. He retired nine straight batters at one point from the first inning into the fourth inning.
In the middle innings of the game, Gateway able to sprinkle a few singles off Welch, but he wasn’t fazed and didn’t let those hits turn into runs.
The Otters’ offense added two more runs behind Welch on a sac fly by Mike Rizzitello in the seventh and another sac fly by Taylor Lane in the eighth, making the score 6-0 Otters.
Welch exited the game after the eighth inning, allowing no runs, giving up seven hits, and striking out a dozen. Tuesday was the second time this season Welch recorded 12 strikeouts. He earned the win, improving his record to 8-5.
Grizzlies starter Chris Carden threw four innings, allowing four runs-three earned-on six hits with five strikeouts. He would take the loss, dropping his record to 7-5.
Otters reliever Drew Beyer retired the Grizzlies in the ninth, picking up a pair of strikeouts.
Offensively, Cronin was able to extend his on-base streak to 17 consecutive games with two walks and two runs scored.
Long notched another multi-hit game with two singles, his 31st multi-hit game of the season.
Lane finished 2-2 with two RBIs and two walks for the Otters, and MacNamee reached base three times with a hit and two walks. MacNamee also tallied an RBI and scored a run.
With the win on Tuesday and Southern Illinois’ loss, the Otters’ magic number to clinch a postseason berth is down to two.
The Otters have a chance to clinch a postseason berth Wednesday with a win and a Southern Illinois loss.
Evansville’s magic number to clinch a West Division title is down to five.
The Otters are seeking their fourth consecutive postseason appearance.
First pitch for game two Wednesday is at 6:35 p.m. from Bosse Field.
