News
Recap | Otters' Opening Night spoiled by Jackals
5/13/2022
EVANSVILLE, Ind. - In front of 5,897 fans, the Evansville Otters got their 2022 season underway Friday night at Bosse Field against the New Jersey Jackals, who played spoiler in a 9-5 win for the road team.
The Jackals got things started first, as first basemen Dalton Combs hit a solo home run to left field in the second inning.
One inning later, the Jackals' lead doubled on a fielder's choice ball hit from right fielder Josh Rehwaldt, scoring third baseman Trevor Abrams from third.
Evansville struck for the first time in the fourth as catcher Justin Felix singled in first baseman Dakota Phillips.
In the fifth, the Otters added another run, this time on a sacrifice fly from left fielder Jeffery Baez, scoring center fielder Miles Gordon.
In the sixth, the Otters optioned to the bullpen as Samson Abernathy came on in relief. It was a tough inning for the righty, who recorded one out and had some defensive miscues behind him. He allowed five runs - one earned - in the eight batters faced.
The first run of the inning scored on an RBI single from shortstop Justin Wylie. One batter later, catcher Jason Agresti singled, and advanced to second on an error, to drive in two runs of his own. Finally, center fielder Todd Isaacs singled in two more runs in to end the day for Abernathy, the score at 7-2.
In the seventh, the Jackals snagged two more runs, this time on a two-run home run from Wylie.
The Otters began their comeback attempt in the bottom of the eighth, starting with a two-run home run for Felix. Later in the eighth, Gordon hit a solo home run to right, bringing the Otters within five.
Juan Perez collected the win for New Jersey in relief, allowing no runs on one hit through 1.2 innings. Abernathy received the loss for Evansville.
The Otters left 11 runners on base in the game, compared to New Jersey's four.
The two sides face off once again on Saturday night, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Gates open at historic Bosse Field at 5:30 p.m.
The Evansville Otters are the 2006 and 2016 Frontier League champions.
The Otters play all home games at 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.
