Six Otters honored by Frontier League with postseason awards
The Evansville Otters had six representatives selected for Frontier League postseason awards, led by Pitcher of the Year Max Duval.
Voters in the league-wide process included broadcasters, general managers, field managers, coaches and local media.
In earning the Brian Tollberg award for being the most valuable pitcher, Duval went 8-2 in 14 starts with the Otters and led the league with a 2.27 ERA as a starter before having his contract purchased by the Miami Marlins’ organization in July.
Duval was an All-Star selection and was also named the Pitcher of the Week on June 26.
Kyano Cummings was voted the Jason Simontacchi Rookie of the Year as he enters Friday’s game with a 1.25 ERA in 49 games. He has struck out 57 batters while also recording seven saves.
Otters hitting coach Bobby Segal was given the Darren Bush Coach of the Year award with Evansville leading the league in total bases (1,326) and walks (401). The Otters are tied for first as a team with Lake Erie in home runs with 95. Evansville is also second in runs (504) and RBIs (466) entering Friday’s game.
Dane Phillips, Josh Allen and Jeff Gardner were all named Postseason All-Stars.
Phillips is batting .333 to lead the team in 91 games with 13 home runs and 64 RBIs. He is a double shy with three games left in the regular season of tying Allen’s single-season doubles record of 34 set last season.
Allen is third on the team in batting average at .312 and he has 12 doubles, 15 home runs and 47 RBIs in 2017. He has also drawn 63 walks to lead Evansville.
Gardner is batting .274 and he continues to lead the team and league in home runs with 22 on the season. He also leads Evansville with 80 RBIs.
The Evansville Otters were also recognized as a team with a Commissioner’s Award of Excellence.
Commissioner Bill Lee credited the Otters for having a great year in business development.
“We are all very proud of the Otters organization and the goals they have accomplished for the 2017 season,†Lee said. “The effort of the entire staff was second to none.â€
Tickets for potential FLDS games on Sept. 5-6 are available by going to evansvilleotters.com or calling 812-435-8686. Check evansvilleotters.com for updated information on Evansville’s pursuit for the postseason.
The Evansville Otters are the 2006 and 2016 Frontier League champions. Group packages and single game tickets are now on sale. For more information, visit evansvilleotters.com or call 812-435-8686.
Suspect arrested in Thursday night shooting
Evansville Police have arrested 21 year old TRAVIS PHELPS on attempted murder charges after he fired shots into a car being driven by Austin Smith. The shooting happened in the 3000 block of Edgewood around 6:45pm on Thursday.
Smith was struck by gunfire and crashed the car a short distance away. A female passenger, Kelsey Cavender, was able to call 911 and report the incident.
Police believe the incident began as a dispute between PHELPS and Cavender, who were in a relationship. The two lived at 3000 Edgewood. During the dispute, Cavender exited the house and got into the car with Smith. According to Cavender and other witnesses, PHELPS stood on the porch with a handgun and fired multiple shots at Smith and Cavender.
Smith was treated at the scene by responding officers and medical crews. He was taken to a local hospital with life threatening injuries. Cavender suffered a minor injury in the crash.
PHELPS was taken into custody at his house wi thout incident. Police found methamphetamine on PHELPS when he was being booked into jail.
PHELPS is charged with-
Two counts of Attempted Murder with a firearm
Two counts of Criminal Recklessness with a firearm
Possession of Meth
Aces drop heartbreaker to Illinois
“Our girls battled hard for 90 minutes, for sure,” said Aces head coach Krista McKendree. “We had a couple bad decisions and credit to Illinois. They battled, they came back, and they capitalized on a couple of our mistakes.”
The Aces struck first with just over five minutes remaining in the opening half. Senior JBess Ruby won the ball off a goal kick by Illinois as senior Nicki Baham found it off the header and dribbled to the top of the box and smashed a shot past the keeper to give the Aces a 1-0 lead.
In the second half, the Illini equalized the match in the 55th minute as Illinois’ Kelly Maday slipped the ball into the back of the net from 10 yards out.
The final 30 minutes of regulation featured a host of chances for the Aces and Illini, but neither side was able to find the go-ahead goal.
With the game in its first overtime, Illinois capitalized on an opportunity just a minute in. Gabbi Chapa looped a ball into the box from 30 yards out that fell at the feet of Morgan Maroney who finished it into the net for the game-winning goal.
Otters struggle as Normal takes series finale
On a night of celebration at the ballpark, the Normal Cornbelters took advantage of Evansville miscues to win the series finale 10-1 infront of 3,010 at Bosse Field Thursday.
Before fans could settle into their seats, Normal took advantage of two Evansville defensive errors in the top of the first to strike for three runs.
With the bases loaded, Nolan Meadows doubled to center field, clearing the bases for three RBIs.
The score remained 3-0 until the top of the fifth when Santiago Chirino scored on an RBI single by Brian Hakes, giving Normal a 4-0 lead.
The Cornbelters’ offense did not stop there, adding three more runs in the top of the sixth.
Yeixon Ruiz scored on a bases-loaded walk to give Normal a 5-0 advantage.
Hakes tallied two more RBIs on single to center field, driving in Chirino and Justin Fletcher.
Ruiz pushed the Normal lead to 8-0 with a solo home run in the top of the eighth.
The Cornbelters made it 10-0 in the top of the ninth on a two-run home run from Miguel Torres.
The Otters scored their lone run in the bottom of the ninth as Christopher Riopedre recorded an RBI single which scored Alejandro Segovia.
Evansville starting pitcher Hunter Ackerman took the loss, giving up six runs-one earned-off eight hits in 5 2/3 innings. Ackerman also struck out sevenwhile only walking one batter.
Normal’s Matt Portland earned the win, going six innings scoreless and allowing two hits and four walks. Portland fanned five in the outing.
Before the game, the Otters were recognized by the Frontier League for achieving 1,000 wins in franchise history. Commissioner Bill Lee and DeputyCommissioner Steve Tahsler were on hand to present the Bussing Family and the Otters with a commemorative plaque for the achievement.
During the pregame ceremonies, it was announced that John Schultz’s number four jersey will be retired at the end of the season. An honorary number fourwas unveiled out near the left field wall next to former manager Greg Jelks’ 44.
Schultz has played five seasons for the Evansville Otters and owns Otters career records in numerous statistical categories.
The Otters hit the road this weekend to conclude the regular season with a three-game series starting Friday at the Gateway Grizzlies. First pitch isscheduled for 7:05 p.m.
If Evansvillle clinches a playoff berth during the weekend, the Otters will begin their postseason next Tuesdayat Bosse Field.
Fans can listen to all three games at Gateway on 91.5 FM WUEV. Lucas Corley (play-by-play) will provide broadcast coverage.
Potential playoff passes are available by going to evansvilleotters.com or calling 812-435-8686.
Subscriptions for ODN are now on sale and more information can be found at evansvilleotters.com.
The Evansville Otters are the 2006 and 2016 Frontier League champions. Group packages and single game tickets are now on sale. For more information, visit evansvilleotters.com or call 812-435-8686.
Ivy Tech Community College Collecting Baby Items To Help Those in Flooded Regions in Texas and Beyond
Baby food, bottles, and diapers are among the items now being collected at Ivy Tech Community College for those who lived in the flooded areas of Texas.
Partnering with the Evansville Police Department who has sent five officers and two loaded box trucks to Texas today, Ivy Tech will collect items until September 8, then give to EPD or other agencies who will be sending items to that zone.
“We want our students, faculty and staff to be a part of the efforts to bring these families items they desperately need and may not have access to,†said Ivy Tech Chancellor Jonathan Weinzapfel. “We hope to assist in some small way to help individuals and their children begin to normalize their lives again after such a horrific tragedy that has affected so many.â€
Organizing the drive for these items is the Office of Student Life, Human Services Club, and Ivy Tech staff.
Items being collected at Ivy Tech include:
Baby formula                         Baby food
Baby bottles                           Diapers
Small books                            Small children’s games
Flip flops                                Bug spray
Community donations are welcome. Donation boxes are located at most entrances to the building, located at 3501 N. First Avenue, Evansville. Ivy Tech’s building is accessible this Saturday from 8 a.m. to Noon; and then will re-open at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 5. Donations will be accepted through noon on September 8.