Vail faced 24 batters in 6.1 innings, giving up two earned runs on six hits. He joined Andre Simpson as one of only two players in franchise history with at least 300 strikeouts in an Otters’ uniform.
After a scoreless first inning, Lake Erie took the lead in the second when Brody Wofford hit a solo home run to right field, giving the Crushers a 1-0 advantage.
Two batters later, Jake Veith launched another solo home run to right, making it a 2-0 game.
Evansville was hitless until two outs in the third when David Cronin singled but J.J. Gould, who reached on an error, was thrown out trying to advance to third to end the inning.
The Otters had four hits over the final six innings.
Pat Ledet earned the victory for Lake Erie, pitching seven innings while surrendering just four hits and striking out nine. Jack Maynard got the save, pitching the final two innings and striking out four.
The Crushers improved to 27-24 while the Otters fell to 29-24 with the loss.
The Otters continue their homestand Tuesday through Thursday against the Joliet Slammers.
First pitch Tuesday from Bosse Field is at 6:35 p.m.
