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RECAP | Otters hold on late to take Conference Finals opener
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (Sept. 15, 2026) - The Evansville Otters (1-0) took the first game of the Frontier League Midwest Conference Finals in an offensive shootout against the Washington Wild Things (0-1) on Tuesday night, 14-13.
Just like the Wild Card Round, Ryan Wiltse got the nod in game one yet again, facing Ben Kowalski for Washington.
Evansville would get two runs early, Blake Robertson’s two-run double making it 2-0 in the first inning.
Washington got a run back in the second inning, but the Otters would go on a tear offensively. A bases-loaded walk and an error brought three runs across in the bottom of the third, then Logan Brown hit a three-run home run in the fourth to make it 8-1.
Both teams would trade runs in the sixth inning before Washington made things interesting, taking advantage of a couple walks and base hits to plate six runs and make it a one-run game.
The Otters would grab crucial insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth. LG Castillo brought in two with a single and three straight RBI singles from Jon Ponder, Sam Linscott and T.J. Salvaggio made it 14-8.
Washington still wouldn’t go down without a fight. Five runs scored for the Wild Things in the ninth, taking advantage of a few walks to bring the game back within one. Joan Gonzalez was brought in with the tying run at third base and struck out Antonio Monroy to give Evansville the close victory in the series opener.
The longest game of the season for the Otters ended with them taking a 1-0 series lead. Five Otters drove in multiple runs, with Brown hitting two home runs and driving in four.
Evansville continues with the Frontier League Midwest Conference Finals tomorrow with Game Two against the Wild Things at 6:35 p.m. CT at EVSC’s Historic Bosse Field.
Secure your tickets, check out postseason promotions and purchase your 2026 Otters Frontier League Playoff shirt to pick up at the game at https://www.evansvilleotters.com/playoff-hq.
All games can be heard on 96.9 WYIR and the Otters Digital Network and can be viewed live on the Frontier League Network on HTN.
The Evansville Otters are the 2006 and 2016 Frontier League champions.
The Otters play all home games at EVSC’s Historic Bosse Field, located at 23 Don Mattingly Way in Evansville, Ind. Stay up to date with the Evansville Otters by visiting evansvilleotters.com, or follow the Otters on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
For more information, visit evansvilleotters.com or call (812) 435-8686.
