In front of 5,695 fans at Bosse Field on Friday night, the Evansville Otters scratched out a 4-3 victory over the Florence Freedom to win their second straight one-run game.
Evansville got on the board in the second inning with two runs. The first run came in to score on a sacrifice fly and error off the bat of Hunter Cullen and Zach Welz then beat out an infield single to bring home the second run of the frame.
Florence tied the game with two in the fourth. Skylar Ewing tripled home a run to put the Freedom on the board and Ricky Ramirez Jr. then brought home Ewing with a single to tie the game.
Two runs in the bottom of the seventh pushed the Otters back on top. A wild pitch allowed J.J Gould to score from third and then Ryan Long brought home the second run with a single to center.
The Freedom made it a 4-3 game in the eighth thanks to a Jacob Wark RBI single.
With one out and Keivan Berges at second in the top of the ninth, Taylor Bryant singled to right and Berges attempted to score the game-tying run but Jeff Gardner threw him out at the plate to keep the Otters ahead 4-3. Alex Phillips then struck out the next hitter, Ryan Rinsky, to end the game and give the Otters the 4-3 victory.
Matt Chavarria picks up his second win of the season for the Otters after closing out the seventh inning with two strikeouts.
Tyler Gibson takes the loss for the Freedom. Gibson went 6.1 innings allowing four runs, three earned, while striking out five and walking one.
Spencer Medick started for the Otters and received a no-decision. Medick worked 6.1 innings giving up two runs on two hits while striking out six.
The Otters series with the Freedom continues tomorrow with a doubleheader at 5:05 p.m. at Bosse Field. The doubleheader will feature Breast Cancer Awareness Night, postgame fireworks, Indiana 811 popcorn giveaway, and a Wendy Mac backpack giveaway to go along with getting two games for the price of one. Join the Otters for a special night at Bosse Field as the organization wants to raise breast cancer awareness and recognize those who have fought breast cancer.
The final game of the series Sunday, August 12 is another opportunity to take advantage of the family fun day family package for $40 courtesy of the Evansville Courier and Press.
