KINSTON, N.C. (September 4, 2026) – Drew Henderson delivered six solid innings, and the Bird Dawgs offense struck early and often, cruising to a 5-3 victory over the Evansville Otters at Historic Grainger Stadium Friday night to take a commanding 3-1 series lead and improve to 48-52 on the season.

Down East wasted no time, plating two runs in the first on a Colby Backus sacrifice fly and a Yeniel Laboy RBI infield single. Jacob Corson added a sacrifice fly in the third before Backus drew a bases-loaded walk and Laboy hit another sacrifice fly in the fifth to push the lead to 5-0. Dennis Pierce's three-run homer in the sixth pulled Evansville within two, but Henderson and the bullpen held on for the 5-3 final.

Henderson (6-8) earned the win, allowing three runs on seven hits over six innings with one strikeout and no walks. Greg Martinez closed it out with a scoreless ninth to collect his sixth save of the season.

Joan Gonzalez (0-2) took the loss for Evansville, allowing five runs on six hits over five innings with six strikeouts and five walks.

The Bird Dawgs (48-52) look to clinch the series Saturday, September 5, at 7 p.m. ET at Historic Grainger Stadium.