The Otters fell behind early as the Miners jumped out in front in the bottom of the first inning when Kyle Davis smashed a two-run home run and put the Miners ahead 2-0.

Evansville cut the deficit in half in the top of the third as Rob Calabrese hit a sac fly to left field, scoring Jack Meggs, and making the score 2-1.

The Miners increased their advantage back to two in the bottom of the third on an RBI single from Joe Duncan that scored Jamey Smart. Southern Illinois led 3-1 after three.

Otters starter Brandyn Sittinger settled in after the third, going six innings, allowing three runs on five hits and six walks while striking out six. He would earn a no-decision.

Miners starter Marty Anderson was cruising through five, only allowing a run on two hits, but he would run into trouble in the sixth.

Calabrese led off with a solo home run, his ninth of the season, cutting the Miners’ lead to 3-2.

David Cronin followed with a single, Keith Grieshaber moved Cronin to third on a double, and Ryan Long walked to load the bases with no outs.

Elijah MacNamee scored Cronin on a sac fly to tie the game at three.

Anderson was pulled in the middle of the inning, finishing with three runs-two earned-allowed off five hits and two walks. He struck out five in 5.2 innings pitched, taking a no-decision.

From there, it was a battle of the bullpens as Cam Opp pitched two scoreless frames for the Otters and Heath Renz, Nick Durazo, and Will Headean did not allow a run for the Miners.

Southern Illinois turned to Gabe Gentner in the top of the ninth.

Tanner Wetrich led off with a single and moved over to second on a sac bunt by Meggs.

With one out, Wetrich stole third base, but the throw from Miners catcher Arturo Nieto sailed into the outfield, allowing Wetrich to score the go-ahead run for the Otters.

Otters closer Taylor Wright came on in the bottom of the ninth with a 4-3 edge, pitched a clean ninth inning, and ended the game on a strikeout to Davis. He earned his 16th save of the season, his third in three games.

Opp earned the win, improving his record to 4-1.

Gentner was given the loss, dropping his record to 2-4.

Calabrese had two RBIs in the game while Grieshaber and Wetrich each had two-hit games.

Completing their fifth sweep of the season, the Otters improved to 52-35 on the season and surpassed last season’s win total of 51 wins with nine games remaining on the schedule.

The single-season win record for the Otters is 57 after going 57-37 in the 2014 season.

Evansville’s magic number to clinch a postseason berth is at five.

The Otters will head back to Bosse Field on five-game win streak as they begin a six-game homestand with a three-game series against the Florence Freedom. Evansville’s last regular season homestand will conclude with a series against the Gateway Grizzlies.

First pitch for Friday’s series opener will be at 6:35 p.m.

The University of Evansville women’s soccer team fell to Middle Tennessee State, 5-1, in the Purple Aces season home-opener at Arad McCutchan Stadium, Thursday night.

Middle Tennessee took charge early going up three goals in the first 18 minutes. MTSU recorded 12 shots with five on goal in the opening 45.

Emily Wolak posted the lone goal of the night for the Aces in the 32^nd minute. Wolak dribbled around the keeper to put it in the back on the net.

Middle Tennessee added two more goals before the end of the match. One in the 33^rd minute and one in the 56^th off a penalty kick conversion.

Wolak, Emily Ormson, Alex Eyler and Karsyn Kleinrichert each recorded a shot attempt during the game, while Michaela Till posted eight saves in goal.

The Purple Aces will make the trip to Nashville, Tenn. on Sunday to take on No. 17 Vanderbilt at 7 p.m.