Blacken Powers Freedom Over Wild Things
by Andrew Kappes
Published on June 28, 2007 under Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls
Florence, Kentucky: A heavy rainshower before the game dampened the grounds of Champion Window Field, and the Freedom were hoping the showers didn't cool off the hot Freedom bats, fresh off of a 12-run performance. Even the rain couldn't cool down this streak against the division leading Washington Wild Things.
Most of the offensive output was placed in the second inning by the Freedom. Beau Blacken doubled to lead-off the inning, he later scored on an RBI single by Tim Grogan. Tyler Evans came up a few batters later with the bases juiced and tripled to right field, clearing the bases. He scored on the next play when Reggie Watson reached on an error. Greg Stone and Ryan Basham then walked to load the bases up for big Beau Blacken, who originally led-off the inning. He cleared the bases when he slammed a grand slam over the left field wall, his eighth homerun of the year. 13 batters were sent to the plate in the second inning for Florence. The Freedom added the their 9-3 lead in the eighth, after walks by Tyler Evans and Reggie Watson, Greg Stone doubled in Evans. Basham then drove in Watson with a sac fly. That would be enough for the Freedom, they win it 11-4.
Northern Kentucky University grad Josh Bruns (1-0 2.25 ERA) got the emergency start for the Freedom, and he pitched well. He went seven innings, giving up two runs on five hits, striking out six.
Beau Blacken deserved his player of the game honors, he went 3-4 with a double, grand slam homerun, four RBI, and two runs scored. Beau was a triple shy of the cycle. Despite not getting a hit, Reggie Watson scored twice and drove in a run. Greg Stone went 1-4 with a double, RBI, and a run scored. Catcher Josh Lex went 2-5 with a double, and Tim Grogan followed him up, going 1-3 with an RBI and run scored. Truman Marek got the start in right field, he went 2-4 with a run scored. Tyler Evans continued his hot hitting streak, he went 1-3 with a triple, three RBI, and two runs scored.
The Freedom begin the second half of their four game homestand tonight at Champion Window Field. They will welcome in division rival Chillicothe Paints. Jason Bowlin (1-1) didn't get the start last night, but is scheduled to start tonight.
Andrew Kappes is in his third season covering the Freedom, he can be reached at andrew_kappes@yahoo.com.
Frontier League Stories from June 28, 2007
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- Otters Spoil Another Pitching Gem - Evansville Otters
- Grizzlies Slip Past Otters - Gateway Grizzlies
- Ninth Inning Rally Falls Short for Beach Bums - Traverse City Beach Bums
- Saturday Night FIREWORKS at VA Memorial Stadium - Chillicothe Paints
- Blacken Powers Freedom Over Wild Things - OSC Original by Andrew Kappes
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