August 14 Florence Freedom Game Notes
August 14, 2014 - Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release
FLORENCE FREEDOM (32-43) @ TRAVERSE CITY BEACH BUMS (31-46)
Thursday, August 14, 2014 - 7:05 p.m. ET
Wuerfel Park - Traverse City, MI
Game #76 - Road Game #32 (32-43), (9-22)
LHP #33 Michael O'Neal (2-3, 5.40 ERA) vs. LHP #14 Ian MacDougall (5-3, 3.22 ERA)
Last time out...
The Freedom swept the Beach Bums in a double header on Wednesday. In game one Chuck Weaver threw a complete game one-hit shutout as Florence won 2-0. Zak Blair delivered a RBI single and Jacob Tanis added a sacrifice fly in the win. In game two the teams went back-and-forth as the Freedom jumped on top 2-0 in the first behind a Rob Kelly two-RBI single. Traverse City got one run back in the bottom of the first inning on a triple and a sacrifice fly. A Sam Eberle RBI single in the top of the fifth extended the Freedom lead to 3-1 but the Beach Bums tied the game in the bottom of the fifth. Yazy Arbelo and Jovan Rosa delivered RBI singles in the frame. In the top of the sixth, Ryan Solberg led off with a triple. Then Buddy Sosnoskie homered to right to put Florence up 5-3. The Beach Bums got an unearned run in the sixth but Florence hung on for the 5-4 win as Ed Kohout picked up the save.
For Starters...
Michael O'Neal is making his seventh start of the season tonight for the Freedom. He is coming off a win in a seven-inning game on August 8 against River City as O'Neal went four and a third innings, giving up four runs on three hits. He walked four and struck out two in a 9-4 victory for Florence. O'Neal pitched two seasons at Auburn University after transferring from Chattahoochee Valley Community College. He threw 10 complete games for Chattahoochee Valley in 2011 as a freshman and posted a 3.65 ERA as a sophomore in 2012. O'Neal had an outstanding season for Auburn in 2013 as he went 8-4 with a 2.73 ERA in 14 starts with two complete games. He held opponents to a .223 batting average in 2013. His 89 innings pitched led the Tigers and was eighth in the SEC.
Going for the sweep...
With a win today the Freedom would earn their third series sweep of the season and first on the road.
We're going streaking!
The Freedom are on their third three-game winning streak of the season. A win today would match their longest winning streak of the year, four games to begin the year,
Shut 'em down...
The Freedom have tossed three shutouts over their past five games. They had tossed three shutouts total in 2014 prior to their recent run of dominance on the mound.
Thursday success...
Thursday is the only day of the week the Freedom have posted a winning record in 2014. They currently have a record of 6-5 on Thursdays, with a 2-1 mark on the road.
Excellent Eberle...
Sam Eberle continues to lead the Freedom in nearly offensive category. He has a team-leading: .324 batting average, 42 runs scored, 15 doubles, 36 RBI, 121 total bases, 49 walks, .443 OBP, .484 SLG and a .927 OPS. Eberle is second on the team in home runs with seven behind Rob Kelly (eight).
Over the last 10...
Zak Blair is on fire recently for the Freedom, posting a batting average of .464 (13-28) over the past 10 games with seven runs scored and three RBI. The Freedom's offense overall has been much-improved in recent games with a team batting average of .303 over the past 10 contests with 11 home runs and 45 RBI.
Against lefties...
Chance Ross has made the most of his opportunities against left-handed pitchers this season, going 11-28 for a .393 batting average. Sam Eberle (.347), Zak Blair (.344) and Rob Kelly (.327) have also made the most of their chances against southpaws. Overall the Freedom are slightly better against left-handers (.245) than they are against right-handers (.236).
Erroneous...
Traverse City (.966 fielding %) and Florence (.967) are the two worst fielding teams in the league.
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