08/11/2012 8:00 PM -
(CRESTWOOD, ILLINOIS) - The Windy City Thunderbolts evened up the series against Evansville with a 5-3 win on Saturday night at Standard Bank Stadium.

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Windy City's infielder C.J. Gillman put the Thunderbolts ahead 1-0 on an RBI single in the third. Evansville countered with a game-tying single from catcher Billy Killian in the fifth.

Even at one, Windy City leapt ahead again in the bottom of the fifth inning when shortstop Chris Wade hit a two-run home run to left field.

Undeterred, Evansville again rallied back to tie the game in the seventh on an RBI single from Taylor Black and a subsequent throwing error that resulted in another run.

The Otters bullpen couldn't keep the game tied, however, as Windy City scored a run in the seventh and eighth innings for the win.

Windy City is now 45-31 this season as Evansville stands at 36-41.

Reliever Michael Click (2-1) earns the victory for Windy City, retiring the only batter he faced in the seventh. He took over for starter Blayne Weller who went 6.2 innings, striking out 11 batters. The loss goes to Evansville right-hander Wynn Pelzer (1-3) who surrendered four runs (three earned) in 6.1 innings. Closer Willy Kesler threw a scoreless ninth inning for his third save.

Billy Killian had three hits and an RBI in the Otters loss. Black also had two hits and a run batted in as well.

The teams will meet again on Sunday to decide the series winner. Evansville will throw left-hander Matt Zielinski (6-5, 4.08 ERA) against Windy City right-hander Tyson Corley (3-6, 3.41). FIrst pitch will be at 5:05 p.m. at Standard Bank Stadium.

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For more information on the Evansville Otters, please log on to the team’s website at http://www.evansvilleotters.com .