Aviators Split DH, Win Series in Florence
July 23, 2015 - Frontier League (FL)
Rockford Aviators News Release
Florence, KENTUCKY - The Aviators split a day-night doubleheader with the Florence Freedom Thursday, falling 2-0 in the morning contest before rebounding for a 6-2 win in the evening. The win ensured a series victory for the Aviators, who closed out strong behind solid defense and a great outing from Nick Grim.
Aviator bats were held down by Florence pitching in Game 1. Cody Gray, the starter, fanned 8 over 5+ innings pitched, and the Aviators had little luck against his relief corps, managing just 4 hits total in the game.The Freedom got 2 runs off Payton Baskette in the 4th and would ride that to a 2-0 win. Baskette was strong otherwise, going 7 innings with only 6 hits managed against him but took the loss.
The Rockford bats came to life for the Aves in Game 2. The team cashed in for 4 hits and 3 runs in the 2nd against Freedom starter Chuck Weaver to get out to an early advantage.
Nick Grim was phenomenal on the mound for the Aves in his 5th start of the year. He carried a no-hitter into the 6th and ended up with 6 scoreless frames to his credit. The Aviators played great defense behind him, turning in 3 double plays and getting web gems from Dusty Robinson and Collin Shaw. Robinson made a terrific sliding catch in right on a liner in the ninth and Shaw gunned down a runner at the plate after a base hit in the 6th to keep Grim's shutout intact.
They got an RBI groundout from Devon Rodriguez in the 5th and an RBI single from Anthony Renteria in the 9th to build the advantage that a mini-rally by the Freedom in the 9th could not overcome.
The win was the 32nd of the year for the Aves, and it assured their 10th series victory of the season.
They begin a 3-game road set with Schaumburg starting tomorrow at 6:30 pm. Tony Rizzotti is expected to start Game 1.
A live broadcast will be available through rockfordaviators.com.
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