FL Florence Y'alls

Florence wins in dramatic fashion, sweeps Kalamazoo

by Andrew Kappes
July 9, 2005 - Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls


Florence, Kentucky - Last night the Freedom stood at 7-1 on the homestand, looking to improve to 8-1 and sweep the Kalamazoo Kings. 2,048 went through the gates at Champion Window Field, to wish their Freedom well on the road trip that begins tonight.

Florence Starter Jason Brunke was looking for his first win in a Freedom uniform, but in the top of the first, Kings outfielder Nick Rogers jacked a solo shot, his third of the season, making it a 1-0 game in the Kings favor. Florence answered in the bottom of the second, when Scotty Martin tripled in two runs for RBIs 26 and 27. He later scored on a Scott Pickens RBI groundout. After two, the score was 3-1 in favor of the Freedom. Bottom three, Kyle Geswein singles in Mike Galloway to make it a 4-1 game. Top four, Tim Baywal had a sac fly for RBI number 15, cutting the advantage to 4-2. In the bottom of the fifth, Scott Martin answered with a sac fly of his own for his third RBI on the night and his 28th on the season, making it a 5-2 game. Top Six, Tim Baywal singled in a run, making it a 5-3 game. Same inning, King's infielder Jason Sullivan doubles in a run, that marked the end of the night for Jason Brunke, who went Five and 2/3rds innings, giving up five earned runs on eight hits, striking out two. Mike Causey came in, and he gave up a run charged to Brunke on a Donnie Burkhalter RBI single, making it a 5-5 tie. But in the bottom of the seventh, Josh Sanchez came through with a RBI single, his 22nd RBI, and the go ahead run, Freedom lead it, 6-5. But in the top of the eighth, Andrew Barden scores on an error by Rightfielder Scott Martin, tying it up at six. To the top of nine we go, still tied at six, until King's infielder Tim Brown singles in the go ahead run, Kings take the lead 7-6. But in the bottom on the ninth, Florence stormed back. It all started with a Kyle Geswein walk, who was pinch ran for by Brandon Cornell. He advanced to second on a wild pitch. After a popout, Scott Pickens had an infield single, making it first and third, then Scott Pickens advanced on a wild pitch, making it second and third with one out. The Kings intentionally walked Josh Sanchez to load the bases. Then, Josh Daws walked Joe Holland to score Cornell, that tied the game at seven. Wally Quigg came up next, he singled in the gamewinning run to leftfield, Scott Pickens scored, and the Freedom won 8-7.

After hugs and handpounds, I had a chance to catch up with the Wizard himself, Wally Quigg.

You've been called the Wizard for your ability to come up with timely hits, how do you come up with these gamewinning hits?

Quigg: The guys in front of me got on, it took six guys (in the ninth) to get me a chance, its a team effort. I don't care if its me or the team, we won. The guys in front of me have given me these chances.

I thank Mr. Quigg for catching up with us, and now the Freedom go on a long road trip. Florence heads to Rockford for a final three game series Vs. Rockford before the All-Star break. Then the Freedom travel to Washington, come back home for a three game set Vs. Ohio Valley, and head out to Richmond and Chillicothe. The Freedom had a great homestand, finishing 8-1. Lets hope they carry this onto the road. Florence sits atop the Eastern Division with a 27-15 record, with Washington three games out.

If you have a question, suggestion, or comment, feel free to e-mail me at andrew_kappes@yahoo.com, I will be glad to get back to you.

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