Freedom Beat Beach Bums
Published on August 7, 2009 under Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release
FLORENCE, KY - When the Florence Freedom have needed a win this season at home, the Traverse City Beach Bums have been there to oblige.
Florence snapped a season high eight game losing streak Friday night with an 8-2 win over the Beach Bums.
The Freedom improved to 4-0 against Traverse City at Champion Window Field this season with the victory. The last time the Bums came to Champion Window Field, Florence ended a brief three game losing streak by sweeping Traverse City.
Justin Pickett got the Freedom off and rolling with a two-run homer in the bottom of the first inning off Jason Kiley, his seventeenth of the season.
Kiley surrendered two more in the bottom of the second when Tim Grogan singled home both runs with one out.
A 4-0 lead was more than Freedom starter Preston Vancil would need as he went the required five innings to improve to 3-1. Last time out against the Bums, Vancil tossed the first no-hitter in Freedom history. This time he allowed three hits and two runs while striking out five.
Up 4-1 in the bottom of the third, the Freedom put the game out of reach with a three spot. Ryan Basham knocked in the first run. Johnny Welch followed with one of his three hits, a double to left-center, to score Basham from first. Finally it was newcomer Dustin Koca who made his Freedom debut with a run scoring single.
Koca finished 2-2 with a run scored and RBI, he was on base all four times with two walks.
Steve Szkotak came out of the bullpen for Florence and tossed three shutout innings while fanning three. Brad Hough pitched a scoreless ninth to close out the Beach Bums.
Kiley (4-8) was pulled after three innings. The Beach Bum right-hander allowed seven runs on eight hits.
Florence (32-37) pulled back to .500 overall against Traverse City on the season. The season series is split 5-5 heading in to game two of the series Saturday night at 6:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Freedom box office at (859) 594-HITS or visit FlorenceFreedom.com.
Frontier League Stories from August 7, 2009
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- Grizzlies Take Home Opener - Gateway Grizzlies
- Rascals Rout ThunderBolts - Windy City ThunderBolts
- Wild Things Fall to Kalamazoo - Washington Wild Things
- Freedom Beat Beach Bums - Florence Y'alls
- Otters Win Behind Dahman's 11K's - Evansville Otters
- Miners pound out 11 runs late; upend Rascals 12-8 - River City Rascals
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