Keith Grieshaber’s RBI single in the third inning gave Evansville a 1-0 advantage. Ryan Long followed with an RBI double and later in the frame, Taylor Lane’s sacrifice fly pushed the lead to 3-0.
In the fourth, David Cronin’s RBI single made it a 4-0. With the bases loaded, a pitch hit Grieshaber to score Hunter Cullen before Taylor Lane hit a bases-clearing double, giving the Otters an 8-0 lead.
Evansville scored two more runs in the fifth and added another in the sixth.
Gateway scored three runs back-to-back innings in the sixth and seventh to pull within five runs at 11-6.
Austin Nicely earned the win for Evansville, going six innings while allowing three runs–one earned–on six hits. He faced 26 batters, struck out seven and didn’t allow a walk.
Reign Letkeman took the loss, pitching three innings while surrendering six runs–three earned– on six hits.
Cam Opp earned the save, pitching 1 2/3 innings and striking out three.
Lane finished 1 for 4 with four RBIs for Evansville and Cronin went 2 for 4 with two runs and two RBIs.
Evansville improved to 49-35 with the win while Gateway fell to 33-51.
The Otters will make a midweek road trip to Marion, Ill. for a three-game series against the Southern Illinois Miners.
First pitch Tuesday is at 6:35 p.m. from Rent One Park.
