September 8 Florence Freedom Playoff Game Notes
September 8, 2015 - Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release
ONE-GAME PLAYOFF: FLORENCE FREEDOM (49-47) @ RIVER CITY RASCALS (56-40)
Tuesday, September 8, 2015 - 7:35 p.m. ET
T.R. Hughes Ballpark - O'Fallon, MO
Playoff Game #1 - Road Game #46 (0-0), (24-21)
RHP #32 Jeremy Gooding (8-4, 2.50 ERA) vs. RHP #4 Tim Koons (11-0, 3.65 ERA)
Last time out...
The Freedom lost their regular season finale to the Miners by a score of 7-6. Florence took an early lead in the top of the first thanks to a Frazier Hall two-RBI double. Southern Illinois responded right away in the bottom of the first with a Jerrud Sabourin RBI single. Aaron Gates put the Miners up 4-2 in the third with a three-run home run. Southern Illinois added to their lead in the sixth on a Toby DeMello RBI single. Florence tallied a run in the seventh thanks to a bases loaded walk from Austin Newell. But an error allowed the Miners to score a run in the bottom half of the frame to make the score 6-3. Isaac Wenrich walked to start the frame in the 8th. Josh Henderson followed with a single. Steve Carrillo singled home Wenrich and Daniel Fraga tripled home Henderson and Carrillo to tie the game at six. But DeMello hit a solo home run off Ed Kohout (4-4) to put the Miners up for good. By that time the Otters had already lost and the Freedom were in the playoffs.
For Starters...
Jeremy Gooding finished his 2015 season in style, winning his final three starts while only allowing one run over this final 22 innings pitched. His most recent outing came on September 3 against the Windy City ThunderBolts as he beat them 3-1. Gooding went seven innings, giving up one run on four hits, walking two and striking out three. His most recent start on the road game at Schaumburg on August 23 as he went six shutout innings in a 5-0 win. Gooding did not face River City this season. The 24 year old went to school at Madonna University in Michigan. He made his professional debut in 2014 with the Fort Worth Cats of the United League. He also pitched with Amarillo of the American Association in 2014 and compiled a record of 2-2 with a 1.62 ERA in 8 starts between the two teams. He struck out 56 batters in 55.2 innings & tossed two complete games with a shutout.
Playoffs! We're talking 'bout playoffs!
Tonight is a one-game playoff between the Freedom and the Rascals. Of the six qualifying teams, the Rascals are the #4 seed and the Freedom are the #5 seed. The winner will advance to a best-of-three series against either the #2 seed Normal CornBelters or the #1 seed Southern Illinois Miners. If Traverse City beats Rockford in their one-game playoff, tonight's winner would play the Miners.
Trouble against Koons...
The Freedom have faced River City ace Tim Koons twice this year and they've lost both games. On July 4 at UC Health Stadium, Koons threw a complete game, giving up one run on four hits, walking one and striking out nine as River City won 3-1. On June 10 in O'Fallon, Koons went six and two thirds innings, giving up one run on three hits, walking two and striking out five in a 8-1 win for River City. Florence is 3-3 against the Rascals overall this year but 0-2 against Koons. Koons has beaten Florence three straight starts going back to 2014 and is 3-1 in his career against Florence.
Road Warriors...
The Freedom finished the 2015 regular season with a winning record on the road at 24-21 but only a 1-2 mark at T.R. Hughes Ballpark.
One-run woes...
Florence struggled in close contests this year, going 7-17 in one-run games, the worst mark in the Frontier League.
Run and run some more...
This game could come down to stolen bases as the Freedom and the Rascals finished tied in the Frontier League for the most stolen bases with 146. However Florence got caught a league high 68 times while River City only got caught 46 times.
Get that lead...
When the Freedom led after seven innings in 2015 they finished 40-2. However they were only 2-38 when trailing after seven innings.
Five or more...
Florence finished the regular season with a 36-5 record when scoring five or more runs in a game.
Transaction Wire...
The Freedom placed RHP Joe McCarty on the 7-Day DL today and activated catcher Ozzy Gonzalez.
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Frontier League Stories from September 8, 2015
- Aviators Fall in Wild Card Contest, Complete 2015 Season - Rockford Aviators
- September 8 Florence Freedom Playoff Game Notes - Florence Y'alls
- Freedom to Host 2016 Frontier League "Y'All-Star Game" - Florence Y'alls
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