Cuthrell and Clutch Pitching Lead Freedom to Series Win
Published on August 18, 2016 under Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release
Florence, Ky. - The Florence Freedom, presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions, won their third series in a row with a 4-3 victory over the Normal CornBelters.
Collins Cuthrell led the Freedom (37-44) offense with three driven in, including the tying, and go-ahead runs. Jordan Kraus, Braulio Torres-Perez, and Ethan Gibbons combined to strand six CornBelters in scoring position.
Both teams scored twice in the first inning. After Normal (41-39) took the lead on a two-run home run from Nolan Meadows, Taylor Oldham responded back by crushing his 12th of the year, a solo shot to left. Austin Newell reached base with two-away on a double to left and then Cuthrell drove him home with a single back up the box.
Still tied at two in the fourth, Cuthrell gave the Freedom their first lead with a two-run shot to left field. His 12th homer of the season created a three-way tie for the team high with Oldham and Andrew Godbold.
After allowing the home run to Meadows, Kraus sat down the next eight that he faced and kept the Freedom out in front by stranding runners on third in the fourth and sixth innings.
A sacrifice fly put the CornBelters within one and placed the tying run on third base with two away. The Freedom called upon Torres-Perez and he struck out Meadows to end the threat.
Now leading 4-3 in the ninth, the CornBelters loaded the bases, but Ethan Gibbons locked down his 11th save of the year by striking out Ty Morris.
Cuthrell (three RBIs, run), Oldham (solo home run), and Newell (two runs) all totaled two hits for the Freedom. Kraus got the win, scattering three hits, two walks, and three runs (two earned) over 7 2/3 innings, while tying his season high with seven strikeouts.
Meadows posted the big hit for the CornBelters with his home run in the first, while Race Parmenter took the loss.
Florence hits the road for six games over the next week. The trip begins with a matchup against the Evansville Otters tomorrow at 6:35 p.m. Central time. Tony Vocca (1-2, 3.76 ERA) will matchup with Matt Wivinis (2-0, 0.85 ERA) in game one of the series.
To keep up with all the latest Florence Freedom news and to learn about exclusive deals and contests, make sure to like the team on Facebook and follow the team on Twitter.
The Florence Freedom are members of the 12-team professional Independent Frontier League and play a 96 game schedule, with 48 home games at UC Health Stadium, located at 7950 Freedom Way in Florence, Kentucky. In 2015, the Frontier League recognized the Freedom as the league's organization of the year and awarded the team with the league's All-Star event. The 2016 season will mark the 13th year the Freedom have played in Florence.
Frontier League Stories from August 18, 2016
- Cuthrell and Clutch Pitching Lead Freedom to Series Win - Florence Y'alls
- Boomers Toss Shut Out, Sweep Joliet - Schaumburg Boomers
- Lake Erie Crushers D. Windy City, 4-2 - Lake Erie Crushers
- CornBelters Rally Falls Short at Florence - Normal CornBelters
- Bums Fall in Pitcher's Duel - Traverse City Beach Bums
- ThunderBolts Swept at Lake Erie - Windy City ThunderBolts
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