Beach Bums Sweep Florence to Take Over Final Playoff Slot
Published on August 17, 2008 under Frontier League (FL)
Traverse City Beach Bums News Release
FLORENCE, KY - The Traverse City Beach Bums erased an early deficit and scored a 7-4 win over the Florence Freedom at Champion Window Field on Sunday night to sweep the series and take over the fourth playoff spot in the Frontier League with 15 games to play.
Angel Molina connected on a two-run homer in the bottom of the first inning to give Florence their first lead of the series. The homer was his second of the series and 19th of the year and scored Garth McKinney who reached on an error.
The lead was short lived as the Beach Bums came back with three runs in the second. Patrick Perry drew a one-out walk from Florence starter Liam Shanahan. Eric Newton lined a single into center field and Mike Epping legged out an infield hit to load the bases. Reed Welker drove a double into right-center on the first pitch to clear the bases and put the Beach Bums ahead at 3-2.
The Beach Bums tacked on three more runs with two outs in the fourth inning to take a 6-2 advantage. Mike Epping singled with one away and moved to second on a ground out. Brad Miller drove in the first run of the frame with a single up the middle to score Epping from second. Brad Roblin followed by connecting on his third homer of the season, a blast that landed in the Beach Bums bullpen.
Molina hit another two-run homer in the fifth inning off of Beach Bums starter Drew Taylor to trim the advantage to 6-4. Taylor threw six innings in his third start with the Beach Bums to tally his first win, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits while walking two and striking out three.
Traverse City was able to score an insurance run in the top of the ninth against Florence All-Star closer Cody Castle. Zack Kalter, Kyle Maunus, and Patrick Perry all singled. Kalter was thrown out at the plate attempting to score on Perry's hit but Mike Epping doubled to plate Maunus.
Jeff Williams threw a 1-2-3 ninth inning to record his 12th save of the season in 13 attempts. The 12th save establishes a new franchise record, bettering the mark of 11 set by Tyler Meigs in 2007. The Beach Bums finished with 16 hits. Mike Epping had three and was the Beach Bums Player of the Game. Brad Roblin finished 2-for-4, while Zack Kalter, Kyle Maunus, Patrick Perry, and Eric Newton all finished with a pair of hits.
The Beach Bums (43-38) have an off day tomorrow before welcoming the River City Rascals for a three-game series at Wuerfel Park on Tuesday night at 7:05 pm. Traverse City moved past Gateway for the fourth and final playoff spot. Gateway lost 9-1 at Windy City. The Grizzlies will host Washington on Tuesday.
Frontier League Stories from August 17, 2008
- Raniere Hits Grand Slam, Rascals Slam RiverHawks 8-4 - River City Rascals
- Beach Bums Sweep Florence to Take Over Final Playoff Slot - Traverse City Beach Bums
- Extra Stout Not Needed as ThunderBolts Rout Grizzlies, 9-1 - Windy City ThunderBolts
- Grizzlies Drop Finale at Windy City - Gateway Grizzlies
- Miners Pound Out Win - Evansville Otters
- Kalamazoo Kings Event Calendar for Remaining Games - Kalamazoo Kings
- McTamney strikes out eight as âHawks end skid - Rockford RiverHawks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
