Long ball leads Otters to first win of 2024

JOLIET, IL – The Evansville Otters’ offense came to life in the series finale against the Joliet Slammers for the Mother’s Day matinee at Duly Health and Care Field. The Otters (1-3) strung together a baker’s dozen worth of hits, outscoring the Slammers (2-1) 12-5 for their first win of the 2024 season.

Austin Bost scored the first run of the game in the opening frame off a Jomar Reyes base-hit to left field.

Evansville combined for eight more unanswered runs in the next two frames, blowing the game open 9-0.

The explosion was highlighted by a two-run blast by Donivan Williams in the second inning. David Menham brought home another pair later with a two-bagger down the left field line.

In the third, Patrick Lee hit a grand slam to right-center field for his first home run of the year.

Joliet got on the board with three runs in the bottom of the third. However, the deficit was too much to overcome as the bats fell silent for the Slammers until the ninth.

Evansville added offense in the fifth when Williams launched his second home run of the game. The solo bomb made it a 10-3 game.

In the sixth, Jake Green hit an RBI single to left field, scoring David Mendham who led off with a base-hit.

Finalizing the Otters’ scoring was Bryan Rosario in the ninth. After leading off on a four pitch walk, he was brought home by Nick Gonzalez’ sacrifice-fly.

In the final frame, the Slammers scored another pair of runs on a triple. The attempt at a comeback was short-lived, as Leoni De La Cruz shut the door on the next batter.

Tyler Ras (1-0) picked up the win, allowing three runs on five hits with one walk and a strikeout. The right-hander pitched five innings during this Otters debut. James Krick pitched two scoreless innings out of the bullpen and Tyler Driver tossed a shutout eighth.

Five batters had multi-hit performances — Lee led the way with three knocks and four RBIs. Williams scored three times and reached base in all but one at-bat. Three other Otters joined him in a multi-run performance. Lee, Medham and Williams also totaled multi-RBI days in the Otters’ big win.

Evansville will return home for their home-opener on Tuesday, May 14 against the Gateway Grizzlies in a rematch of last year’s West Division Championship Series. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. and tickets are available here.