Florence uses seven pitchers in 4-3 defeat
Published on May 25, 2018 under Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release
TRAVERSE CITY, Mi - Tied, 3-3, with Will Kengor at second base in the bottom of the eleventh courtesy of the International Tie-Breaker rule, Donald Glover Jr. roped a base hit down the first base line off Freedom (8-4) reliever Jameson McGrane (0-1), securing the Beach Bums (5-7), 4-3, victory in the finale at Wuerfel Park. John Michael Knighton (2-1) earned the win in relief as Traverse City avoided a sweep in their opening home series of the season. Knighton dazzled over his three innings, holding the Freedom to the tune of three hitless innings and added a trio of punch-outs.
For the second time in as many nights, the Freedom hung a crooked number in their first at-bat of the ballgame, plating three runs in the bottom of the first off Beach Bums starter Seth Brenner. Xavier Turner led off with a single and promptly stole second base ahead of a Connor Crane walk. With Jose Brizuela at the plate, Turner and Crane executed a double steal to setup a Brizuela sacrifice fly. Turner and Crane would combine for five stolen bases on the night, three for Turner and two for Crane. After Andre Mercurio got hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a walk by Keivan Berges. Nick Crouse sent a line drive up the middle for a two run single, scoring Crane and Mercurio as the Freedom took a, 3-0, lead into the bottom of the first. Despite not scoring in the top of the second, Florence chased Brenner from the game after 1.2 innings. This was the second time in the series the Freedom forced a Beach Bums starter out of the game before the bottom of the second.
Traverse City began to chip away at the deficit in their second at-bat, plating one off Freedom starter Steve Hagen by virtue of a pair of doubles from Luke Lowery and Steve Lohr to make the score 3-1. They would pull within one in the home half of the third thanks to a Will Kengor double that scored Kenny Peoples Walls. Lohr finished the game just a home run short of the cycle as the Beach Bums began to hit their stride offensively in the finale.
Hagen would leave the game after five innings having allowed two earned runs on seven hits with three walks and four strikeouts, earning a no-decision. Six Freedom relief pitchers would appear on the mound over the final six innings.
With Johnathon Tripp on the hill in the bottom of the eighth and the Freedom leading, 3-2, Traverse City would rally to tie the game courtesy a pair of walks and a Will Kengor RBI-single. The Bums attempted to take the lead on the play, but Connor Crane gunned Arby Fields at home for his first outfield assist of the season. Mercurio and Berges would also throw Beach Bums out at the plate in the game as Florence did their best to keep Traverse City at arms reach.
Florence will take the field next on Friday in Washington, PA when they open a weekend series against the Wild Things at 7:05 p.m. from Wild Things Park. Right-hander Jordan Kraus will oppose Wild Things southpaw Frank Trimarco on the bump. On the other side, Traverse City will enjoy a second consecutive home series as they welcome the Evansville Otters to Wuerfel Park tomorrow night.
The Florence Freedom are members of the Independent Frontier League and play all home games at UC Health Stadium located at 7950 Freedom Way in Florence, KY. The Freedom can be found online at florencefreedom.com, or by phone at (859) 594-4487.
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