Errors costly in Otters loss to Boomers

The Evansville Otters committed three errors in the bottom of the fifth inning allowing the Schaumburg Boomers to take the lead en route to a 5-1 loss in game three of the Frontier League Division Series. 

In the first four innings, it was largely a pitcher’s duel. Felix Baez held the Boomers off the board and worked out of a bases loaded jam in the first inning. Kagen Hopkins gave up the lone run in his outing. 

Evansville opened up the scoring early in the game against Hopkins with an RBI single from Christopher Riopedre to score Alejandro Segovia. It was the only run the offense could muster.

In the fifth, things took a turn for the worst against the Otters. After Baez hit Andrew Brodbeck and walked Kyle Ruchim to start the frame, John Holland attempted to lay down a sacrifice bunt. However, Baez threw it into right field allowing Brodbeck and Ruchim to score. On the same play, Jeff Gardner overthrew Kolten Yamaguchi at home allowing Holland to score.

In the same inning, David Harris reached second base on an error by Ryan Long on a dropped fly ball in left field. Sean Godfrey scored Harris on an RBI double to make it 4-1.

 Schaumburg added on a run in the eighth inning on a squeeze play from Godfrey that scored Josh Gardiner for a 5-1 lead and eventual final.

The Otters outhit the Boomers eight hits to six in the effort. However, Boomers pitching walked only two batters all night and struck out five to give the Boomers the game three victory.

Baez took the loss for the Otters going five innings surrendering four runs, two of which were earned, on four hits. Baez also struck out seven and walked five.

The Otters and Boomers will return to action tomorrow in game four of the FLDS. For Evansville, it is must win game with a loss eliminating them from postseason play.

First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. at Schaumburg Boomers Stadium.

Fans can listen on 91.5 WUEV with Lucas Corley providing play-by-play coverage.