Otters Division Dreams Dashed After Dropping Tuesday Double-Header

The Evansville Otters' hopes of winning the Frontier League's East Division were shot down Tuesday night after losing both games of a double-header against the Washington Wild Things to open the final series of the regular season.

Things looked promising for the Otters early on in game one after a RBI single from Frontier League MVP, Shane Houck in the top of the third inning. The Wild Things answered in the bottom of the same inning with their own RBI single from outfielder Scott Kalamar.

Washington put another run on the bottom of the fourth after a misplayed pop up by the Otters to take a 3-1 lead. It would be the final time either team scored.

The momentum continued for the Wild Things going into game two as they put two runs on the board in the bottom of the second against Otters starter Will Oliver. Washington's pitching was also on point in the game as starter Troy Marks took a perfect game into the final inning until Otters outfielder J.R. Higley broke it up with a single. Evansville was able to put one run on the board after loading up the bases before a ground out from Jeremy Nowak ended the game.

The losses take the Otters out of the race to win the division going into the final two games of the regular season, leaving them currently sitting as the fifth seed in the playoffs which begin on Saturday.

Unlike Major League Baseball, the Wild Card round of the Frontier League playoffs is a one game. Win and you're on to the Divisional Round against one of the two division winners. Lose, and you're preparing for next season.

Before that, the Otters need to finish their series against Washington, which they will do with a game tonight at 6:05 PM, and the final regular season game tomorrow.