May 14 Florence Freedom Game Notes
May 14, 2015 - Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release
FLORENCE FREEDOM (41-55, 2014) vs. JOLIET SLAMMERS (40-56, 2014)
Thursday, May 14, 2015 - 6:35 p.m. ET
UC Health Stadium - Florence, KY
Game #1 - Home Game #1 (0-0), (0-0)
Florence: RHP #22 Coleman Stephens (2-4, 6.22 ERA, 2014)
Joliet: RHP #44 David Kubiak (7-2, 1.50 ERA, 2014)
Last season...
The Freedom produced four Frontier League Mid-Season All-Stars (Catcher Joe Staley, Outfielder Cole Miles, INF Sam Eberle and RHP Chuck Weaver) in 2014 but struggled on offense throughout the season on their way to a 41-55 record. After back-to-back playoff appearances in 2012 and 2013 Florence fell short last season. Their team batting average of .240 was the worst in the Frontier League while their 373 runs scored were the fewest in the league as well. Pitching carried the day for the Freedom as Weaver and Cincinnati native Casey Henn ranked near the top of the league in numerous statistical categories. Eberle was the Freedom's lone post-season All-Star as he led the league in On Base Percentage at .462. The Freedom were significantly better at home (28-26) than on the road (13-29) last season. Their pitching staff's ERA was 3.65 at home and 4.91 away from UC Health Stadium.
For Starters...
Coleman Stephens makes his Florence Freedom debut tonight. He is very familiar to the Freedom's coaching staff as he pitched for the Gary SouthShore RailCats in 2014. 2015 will be Stephens' fourth season of professional baseball and his second go-around in the Frontier League. Florence acquired Stephens as part of a three-team trade on December 28, 2014, which saw Jacob Tanis head to Windy City. The right-hander made his professional debut in 2012 with the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings of the North American Baseball League. Stephens split the 2013 season between the Fort Worth Cats of the United League and the Frontier Greys, compiling an 8-3 record in 20 appearances, 18 starts. Last season, Stephens played in the American Association, splitting time between Amarillo and Gary. Through three seasons in professional baseball Stephens has made 62 appearances, 45 starts.
Returnees...
Freedom fans will recognize a number of returning players this year to the Freedom. Eight of the team's 24 players were on the team last year. They are: RHP Pete Levitt, RHP Daniel DeSimone, RHP Chuck Weaver, RHP Casey Henn, RHP Ed Kohout, Catcher Gaby Juarbe, INF Sam Eberle and OF Ryan Solberg.
A Texas flavor...
New Freedom manager Dennis Pelfrey hails from Grand Prairie, Texas and brings with him to Florence pitching coach Chad Rhoades (Bowie, TX) and AJ Cicconi (Red Oak, TX). Five of the Freedom's players call Texas home, the most players from any state on the team. They are: RHP Coleman Stephens (Amarillo, TX), Catcher Michael Pair (Carrollton, TX), OF Cody Bishop (Mount Pleasant, TX), OF Austin Newell (Arlington, TX) and OF Jake Luce (Fairview, TX).
Affiliated experience...
The following Freedom players have experience in affiliated baseball: INF Sam Eberle (Giants, Short Season Single-A) and RHP Pete Levitt (Cubs, Single-A). OF Jake Luce was in Orioles Spring Training this year.
More on Pelfrey...
2015 marks Dennis Pelfrey's first year as the Freedom's manager. He takes over for Fran Riordan who was hired in the off-season to manage the Beloit Snappers, the single-A affiliate of the Oakland A's. Pelfrey, 37, played six seasons of professional baseball from 1999-2004 after his collegiate days at Northwood University in Texas. Most of those six seasons were spent in the Frontier League as Pelfrey manned multiple infield positions for the Dubois County Dragons, Kenosha Mamoths and the Springfield/Ozark Ducks. Pelfrey spent the past four seasons coaching for the Gary SouthShore RailCats under veteran manager Greg Tagert. His tenure included a 2013 American Association championship.
Today's Special Jersey Number...
Steve Carrillo is wearing jersey #61 tonight. The jersey is auctioned off to benefit the Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky.
• Discuss this story on the Frontier League message board...
Frontier League Stories from May 14, 2015
- ThunderBolts Fall 2-0 to Schaumburg in Season Opener - Windy City ThunderBolts
- Freedom Open 2015 in Style with Win over Joliet - Florence Y'alls
- Boomers Open Season with Shutout - Schaumburg Boomers
- Slammers Lose to Freedom in Season Opener - Joliet Slammers
- May 14 Florence Freedom Game Notes - Florence Y'alls
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