Southern Illinois took no time to take a lead as they plated three in the first inning. With a runner in motion on the pitch, Marc DiLeo singled to left-center field which allowed a run to score all the way from first. With the bases loaded, an error by shortstop Toby Thomas allowed a run to score. Nolan Earley then knocked home a run with a sacrifice fly to put the Miners up 3-0.
Joe Dudek pushed the Miners advantage to 4-0 with a solo home run to left in the top of the third.
Evansville scored four in the fifth to tie the game. Joe DeLuca started the rally with a two-run single. Ryan Long followed that up with an RBI double to right and Toby Thomas tied the game with a sacrifice fly.
The Otters took the lead for the first time in the seventh on a Thomas RBI infield single.
Southern Illinois responded with two runs in the top of the eighth to take a 6-5 lead. Chance Shepard lead off the frame with a solo home run and Ben Moore gave the Miners the lead with an RBI double.
For the second time in the game, the Otters rallied to take the lead, this time with three runs in the bottom of the eighth. Manny Cruz tied the game on an RBI single, and on the play a throwing error allowed DeLuca to come home and score the go-ahead tally. David Cronin then added an insurance run on an RBI single to put the Otters up 8-6.
The Miners put the tying run on base in the top of the ninth, but Mitch Aker struck out Harrison Bragg to end the game and secure the 8-6 victory. For Aker, it is his fourteenth save of the campaign.
Sean Adler is credited with his third win of the season after striking out the only batter he faced.
Michael Starcevich is dealt the loss after allowing three runs, two earned, on three hits and a walk in one inning of work.
Otters starter Tyler Vail receives a no-decision after throwing six innings and allowing four runs while racking up six strikeouts.
Steven Ridings is credited with the no-decision as well for the Miners. Ridings tossed five innings, giving up four runs on six hits.
Coverage of the series will continue on WUEV 91.5 FM and the Otters Digital Network presented by Kruckemeyer & Cohn with Sam Jellinek(play-by-play) and Bill McKeon(analysis) on the call.
The series with the Miners finishes on Sunday which is a family fun day. June 26-28 against the Grizzlies will have $2 Tuesday, Day Camp Day and Thirsty Thursday. June 29-July 1 against the Rascals will be highlighted by Edward Jones Night and postgame fireworks, Heritage Federal Credit Union hat giveaway and Boy Scout Night, and another family fun day. Tickets are still available at evansvilleotters.com or by calling 812-435- 8686.
Fans can also follow Otters social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for game updates throughout the day.
The Evansville Otters are the 2006 and 2016 Frontier League champions. Season tickets, group outing packages, and single game tickets are on sale now for the 2018 season.
