FL Florence Y'alls

Dennison, Freedom Salvage Finale against Rascals – Galloway Hitting Streak to 24

by Chris Meiman
June 20, 2005 - Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls


Michael Dennison pitched eight solid innings to salvage the finale against the River City Rascals 8-2 Sunday night in O'Fallon, Missouri. Dennison scattered six and two runs, striking out eight Rascals on the evening to raise his total to 39, 2nd in the league. Mike Galloway's three-run home run in the first inning proved to be all Dennison would need to earn his second win in six decisions. Kyle Geswein also hit a solo home run later in the first to stake the Freedom to an early 4-0 lead. The top of the order carried the day for Florence. Zach Schmidt, Wally Quigg, and Galloway had seven of Florence's nine hits on the evening. Schmidt reached base five times on two hits and all three walks issued by the Rascals, eventually scoring three runs. Galloway collected two hits, extending his hitting streak to a season spanning 24 games, just 6 short of the single season Frontier League record of 30. Galloway's long ball was his 10th of the season, which leads the league. The Freedom Right Fielder also leads the league in RBI (32), hits (40), and Slugging Percentage (.786), Extra Base Hits (17, tied with teammate Trevor Hall). Galloway's .408 average is second in the league.

Florence's fortunes in the first two games were much worse, dropping both to the River City Rascals. Saturday night saw the Freedom drop a tough 4-3 decision to the Rascals. Freedom starter Joel Posey pitched seven good innings, allowing three runs, but departed the game with the score tied. Normally reliable set-up man Justin Fuller pitched a solid 8th inning, but could not record an out in the 9th. Fuller walked pinch hitter Zack Riera and was promptly lifted for Lenny Bays. Tony Calderon sacrificed Riera to second, and after Bays retired Anthony Slagle, it looked like Bays might get Fuller off the hook. However, Mike Connor's RBI single scored Riera and the game was over. Scott Martin and Josh Sanchez each collected two hits a piece and Kyle Geswein hit a home run for the Freedom.

It is becoming apparent that Geswein's best suited role is as the Designated Hitter and not as a starting pitcher. As a DH, Geswein has 8 home runs and a 6 game hitting streak. After posting decent numbers as a part-time reliever, Geswein was shelled in his second start for Florence, giving up 8 hits and 7 runs (4 earned) in only 2 2/3 innings, allowing 3 home runs to a team that had hit only 11 collectively all season. Reliever Ted Rowe was mucked through 3 1/3 innings relief, surrendering two more runs. Florence was never able to catch up and dropped the game 9-4, assigning the loss to Geswein in his first decision. Zach Schmidt was the only Freedom starter to collect multiple hits, though it was his error in the first that lead to 3 unearned runs.

Upcoming Series - Florence returns to Champion Windows Field to play the two teams they just finished playing on the road, Mid-Missouri and River City. The series with the Mavericks starts this afternoon in a 4:30 "Get Out Of Work Early" Special. Jason Bowlin (3-0 3.28) will oppose Travis New (1-1 3.97) in a rematch of last Wednesday's middle game in Columbia, Missouri in which both pitchers performed well in Florence's 6-4 win. Mark Harris will start tomorrow night for Florence and one wonders if Kyle Geswein will take his turn in the rotation Wednesday night. Jason Sena, who was removed from the rotation in favor of Geswein, might return to make the start. Sena hasn't pitched since throwing four shutout innings Thursday night and has not given up a run in 6 1/3 innings of bullpen work. Newly signed Dan Touchet could also make the start. Mid-Missouri is scheduled to start Auggie Rodriguez Tuesday and Nick Renault on Thursday. All Freedom games can be heard online at choicefmradio.com or on the radio at WZFR 97.7 or WRHX 107.9 in Northern Kentucky.

Freedom Flags - The Freedom quickly signed former Miami Hurricane Dan Touchet, just one week after the Hurricanes were eliminated from the College World Series by Nebraska. Touchet pitched the final inning of Florence's 8-2 win over River City, his first outing taking the loss for Miami in an ACC tournament elimination game May 26 against Clemson. Touchet was a 2000 draft pick for the Cincinnati Reds out of high school and pitched in the 2004 Cape Cod League for the Orleans Cardinals. He had Tommy John surgery in March of 2003.

Chris Meiman covers Florence Freedom Baseball and Cincinnati minor league hockey. He can be reached at chrismeiman@yahoo.com.

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Frontier League Stories from June 20, 2005


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