The Evansville Otters received a strong performance on the mound Friday from right-hander Austin Gossmann, but the Gateway Grizzlies had the final upper hand with a 3-2 victory.
Gossmann started the game for Evansville with five scoreless innings, matching Gateway starter Sam Gardner.
The former University of Southern Indiana Screaming Eagle was locked in, not being fazed by Grizzlies on base in four of the first five innings.
Gateway did break the scoreless stalemate in the top of the sixth when Jay Prather drove in Jose Rosario on a single to left.
Gossmann exited the game after seven innings, taking a no-decision. He struck out 10 and allowed only a single run.
Dustin Woodcock made it 2-0 Grizzlies with a solo home run off Augie Gallardo, who came out of the Otters’ bullpen to start the eighth in relief of Gossmann.
The Otters snapped a 35-inning scoreless streak in the bottom of the eighth Friday.
Following two walks and a fly out, Gary Mattis scored Riley Krane on an RBI hit.
After an intentional walk to Miles Gordon, Andrew Penner hit a sac fly to score the newest Otter Jeffrey Baez to bring the Otters and Grizzlies all square at two runs a side.
Gateway quickly grabbed the momentum back, as Connor Owings led off the top of the ninth with a solo home run to put Gateway back in front 3-2, which held as the final score.
Grizzlies starter Sam Gardner also took a no-decision after six scoreless innings.
Grizzlies reliever Carter Hayes picked up the win, and Tanner Cable recorded the save. Otters reliever Taylor Wright was dealt the loss.
Offensively, Evansville’s J.R. Davis collected a three-hit night for a second consecutive game.
After a postponement Friday night for the Florence Y’alls, the Otters’ West Division lead is down to a half game.
Saturday’s middle game of the series between the Grizzlies and Otters starts at 6:35 p.m. with gates opening at 5:30 p.m.
Right-handed pitcher Tim Holdgrafer will be taking the baseball for Evansville, and he will be matched up against lefty Jordan Barrett for Gateway.
