The Otters struck for six runs in the second inning to break the game open. With runners at first and third, Mike Rizzitello started the scoring with an RBI single to left. A Manny Cruz single then loaded the bases before David Cronin drew a four-pitch walk to force home a run and put the Otters up 2-0. With the bases still loaded, Ryan Long took the first pitch he saw and deposited it over the right field fence for a grand slam, his third home run of the season, which put the Otters up 6-0.
Southern Illinois got one back in the sixth on a Chance Shepard RBI double.
The Otters got that run back immediately in the bottom of the inning on a Rizzitello sacrifice fly.
Southern Illinois mounted a comeback in the ninth inning as they plated three runs on a two-run double from Harrison Bragg and a sacrifice fly from Austin Homan, but it fell short as Kyle Griffin struck out Kurt Wertz Jr. to cap off the 7-4 victory.
Otters starter Austin Nicely picks up his third win of the season after throwing seven innings of one run baseball. Nicely struck out a season-high eight batters and walked only one while conceding just five hits.
Austin Dubsky takes the loss for the Miners. Dubsky threw just two innings and allowed six runs on four hits and three walks.
The Otters will have an off day on Monday before returning to action when they begin a three-game series with the Gateway Grizzlies at Bosse Field on Tuesday evening at 6:35 p.m.
