Crushers Stun Freedom in the Ninth
July 20, 2014 - Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release
(Avon, OH) - Joey Burney hit a two-out, two-RBI single to win the game in the bottom of the ninth as the Lake Erie Crushers (29-25) knocked off the Florence Freedom (22-30) by a final score of 4-3 Sunday afternoon.
Florence led from the very first inning as Cole Miles started the game with a solo home run to right field. It's Miles' fifth home run of the season, a new career high. They would add another run in the first on a Joe Staley RBI grounder.
In the second the Freedom added another run on a Zak Blair RBI grounder to extend their lead to 3-0.
But Vincent Mejia delivered a two-run home run in the fourth to cut Florence's lead to 3-2.
Peter Gehle delivered an outstanding performance for the Freedom as he battled out of jam after jam in the game to go seven and a third innings, scattering seven hits, allowing only two runs, walking two and striking out five.
But his performance was wasted by the Freedom in the ninth. With one away Adam Ford singled off Jorge Marban (2-3). Then with two away Craig Hertler pinch hit and singled to right. An error by Sam Eberle loaded the bases for Lake Erie. The error ended up costing Florence dearly as Burney delivered on a two ball, two strike pitch with a line drive single to right-center. Two runs easily scored to end the game. Both runs were unearned.
With the loss, the Freedom fall to a season-worst eight games under .500 and lose their eighth consecutive road series to start the season.
Florence returns home to the friendly confines of UC Health Stadium on Tuesday against the Schaumburg Boomers. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. and All-Star Chuck Weaver (4-3, 2.10 ERA) takes the hill.
To keep up with all the latest Florence Freedom news and to learn about exclusive deals and contests, make sure to like the team on Facebook and follow the team on Twitter.
The Florence Freedom are members of the Frontier League of Professional Baseball. The Frontier League is the oldest continuously operating independent professional league, entering its 22nd season in 2014. For more information about the Frontier League visit www.frontierleague.com.
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