Despite a strong start for Wild Things pitcher Shawn Blackwell, the first place Evansville Otters were able to knock the ball around a little bit in the fourth inning en route to a 3-0 victory over the Wild Things, securing first place in the Eastern Division for now.
It seemed that Blackwell was getting into a groove, pitching 3.1 innings of no-hit baseball before finally surrendering a double to CJ Henry, who would be driven in by the next batter Nick Schwaner to start the downfall for the Wild Things. Schwaner wouldn’t be on base much longer.
Two pitches later, Andrew Clark blasted a two-run shot to bring the lead to 3-0, where it would stay to end the game.
Blackwell would go on to pitch 7.0 innings, allowing six hits and three runs before leaving. Rick Hawkins pitched 6.0 shutout innings, striking out five and scattering five hits in the game. Scott Weismann came in in relief for the Otters, striking out five Wild Thing batters in just two innings.
The Wild Things would fall victim to the strikeout ten times over the course of 9.0 innings.
The Wild Things tried to make a comeback in the bottom of the ninth.
AJ Nunziato doubled with one out to put a runner in scoring position. Two batters later, Scott Kalamar drew a walk to put runners at first and second with two outs. With two on and two out, Shain Stoner had a chance to tie the game with one swing. Unfortunately for fans around Console Energy Field, Stoner flew out to end the game.
No Wild Things batter recorded more than two hits and Stewart Ijames and Kalamar were the only hitters to not strikeout.
The two teams will square off in the rubber match today at 5:05 from Console Energy Field with Shawn Sanford looking to go 5-0.
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