EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Evansville Otters used all nine innings to get the job done Thursday night, earning a 6-5 win over the Windy City ThunderBolts in the bottom of the ninth.
Windy City found offense first in the game, scoring an opening run with an RBI single from Bren Spillane in the top half of the fourth.
The Otters bounced back in the bottom half of the fourth, scoring a game-tying run on an error from T-Bolts right fielder Brynn Martinez. Later in the inning, Evansville grabbed a lead on a Jeffrey Baez RBI fielder’s choice.
But in the top of the fifth, Windy City struck right back after loading the bases on a trio of singles. Spillane continued his big day with a grand slam, giving the ThunderBolts a 5-2 lead.
Again the Otters returned the favor in the back half as Bryan Rosario brought in a run with a bases-loaded walk. George Callil scored the second run in the inning on a wild pitch from Dazon Cole.
The 5-4 Windy City lead lasted into the eighth inning when the Otters next pushed for a run. After a walk and stolen base from Baez, Elijah MacNamee tied the game at 5-5 with an RBI single.
The Otters loaded the bases in the ninth, searching for a game-winning hero. With just one out, Baez sent a weak groundball to the left side of the infield as Miles Gordon beat the throw home to give Evansville their 6-5 win. It was the second walk-off win for Evansville in 2022.
The win went to Logan Sawyer, who pitched the final out in the top of the ninth for Evansville. The loss fell on Windy City closer Layne Schnitz-Paxton.
With the win, Evansville wins the midweek series and season series against the ThunderBolts.
The Otters continue their regular season on the road with a weekend set at Washington. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. CT. Audio-only coverage is available on the Otters YouTube page.
