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.

UE Heads To Cape Girardeau, Mo. 

 Starting on Friday, the University of Evansville volleyball team will look to expand upon a 3-0 start to the season as they head to Cape Girardeau, Mo. for the Redhawks Invitational.

UE starts the tournament on Friday at 10 a.m. against Arkansas-Pine Bluff before taking on Morgan State at 4:30 p.m.  They complete the weekend on Saturday with a 2 p.m. match against Southeast Missouri State.

For the first time since 2011, the Purple Aces stand at 3-0 following a perfect weekend of action at the Leatherneck Invitational.  Evansville defeated Chicago State, Manhattan and Western Illinois en route to the tournament championship.  Cathy Schreiber was the MVP of the tournament while Cassie Brooks and Rocio Fortuny made the All-Tournament Team. The Aces defense averaged 22.17 digs per set in the tournament and rank second in the nation following the opening weekend.

Cathy Schreiber was the MVP of the Leatherneck Invitational as she averaged 2.92 kills per set to lead the Purple Aces to a 3-0 weekend.  She opened the year with 14 kills in the win over Chicago State, hitting .393.  Schreiber posted another efficient effort in a 3-0 sweep of Manhattan as she notched eight kills in 14 attempts with no errors, hitting .571 in the effort.  In the 5-set win over Western Illinois, she notched 13 kills.  Over the weekend, she had a total of 35 kills in 77 tries.  She also had seven total blocks and hit .377.

In her first weekend of college action, Cassie Brooks posted one of the top defensive weekends in the MVC.  She notched an average of 6.17 digs over 12 sets in the opening weekend of play.  Brooks got off to a great start against Chicago State, notching 29 digs along with the first service ace of her career.  She followed that up with 18 digs versus the Jaspers in three sets of work before chipping in 27 over five frames in the win over WIU.  Her 6.17 digs per set ranks fourth in the league.  She was named to the All-Tournament Team for her efforts.

Allana McInnis had a nice start to her freshman campaign in the season-opening Leatherneck Invitational.  In 11 sets of work, McInnis posted 9.91 assists per set, ranking fourth in the conference.  She came out on fire versus Chicago State, notching 48 assists to go along with 7 digs, six block assists and four kills.  Another impressive effort was shown against Manhattan.  In three frames, McInnis notched 37 helpers, three digs and three more block assists.  She wrapped up the weekend with 24 assists and 8 digs in the win over Western Illinois.

UE’s top offensive weapon over the weekend was Rachel Tam, who helped in all facets of the game.  Tam led the squad with a total of 41 kills, averaging 3.42 per set.  She had at least 10 kills in each match over the weekend.  After starting off the year with 10 against Chicago State, she posted 16 versus Manhattan and 15 against Western Illinois.

Arkansas Pine Bluff traveled to Tampa last weekend for the USF Invitational.  They went 0-3, but played some of the top competition in the country including LSU, South Florida and Northwestern.  They rebounded on Tuesday with a 3-0 win versus Central Baptist College.  Kendalle Howard and Kaitlyn Hapke had 8 kills apiece in the win.

Playing in the Spartan Demon Deacon Classic hosted by Wake Forest last weekend, Morgan State began its 2017 slate with an 0-3 mark.  The Bears fell to host Wake Forest in the opener while also taking on UNC Greensboro and Massachusetts Lowell.  Cristen Coryatt led the way with 27 kills in the three matches while Keana Browne recorded 25.

In the weekend finale on Saturday, the Aces face off against Southeast Missouri State.  The Redhawks went 1-2 in their opening tournament last weekend in New Orleans.  They defeated Alcorn State while dropping decisions against Fordham and New Orleans.  Mikayla Kuhlmann had a solid weekend for SEMO, pacing the offense with a total of 30 kills.  Nzingha Clarke finished with 21.

Summer is drawing to an end and the holiday weekend features a bounty of Saratoga and Del Mar thrills! It’s closing weekend at both tracks and there are 11 graded stakes in store between them, including the Spinaway Stakes anchoring an NBC Sports Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series broadcast at Saratoga. Find all the news and tips you need to get ready for a three-day racing extravaganza in this week’s The Countdown Presented by Longines.