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Florence Y'alls

Wenrich Shines in First Game Since Heart Attack

May 28, 2016 - Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release


Sauget, Ill. - "Wenrich, C" read in the sixth spot on the Florence Freedom's lineup card Friday, marking the end of a two-month journey for Isaac Wenrich.

"I've thought about this day since the heart attack, but I never knew whether I was going to get back on that field," Wenrich said before the Freedom's 4-3 victory over the Gateway Grizzlies. "So to finally see my name on the lineup card and be able to make an impact on the team today, it's something that you can't really put into words. I wasn't sure this day would ever get here, so it's incredible."

The Freedom catcher took the field for the first time since suffering a widow-maker heart attack on March 28. In his first at bat, he laced the Freedom's first hit of the night, a single to the wall in right-center. He finished 2-for-2 with a walk and a run scored.

It was business as usual for Wenrich in Florence as he picked up right where he left off last season. In 2015, Florence had a 12-6 record with Wenrich in the lineup after acquiring the catcher in mid-August.

When asked what he would be thinking about when he took the field, he jokingly replied "no passed balls and don't strike out.

"Honestly, I'm going to take it with a grain of salt and have as much fun as I can," he continued. "It's like riding a bike now that I'm back. It's going to be exciting and I'll have some nerves, but it's time to get back out and do what I have to do."

Although butterflies are only normal in a season debut, especially considering the circumstances, the events of March gave Wenrich a new sense of perspective.

"Having that experience opened my eyes to what is really important," Wenrich said. "Every day is a little easier to take in because it's not so do-or-die. This summer, I'm just focusing on what I can do to be my best self on the field and off it, while helping the team win in any way I can"

Today, Wenrich notched the Freedom's first hit and scored the team's first run, helping his team to their fourth victory in five games. As Isaac's journey to the Freedom lineup comes to a close, the Freedom's push towards another postseason is just beginning.

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