FL Florence Y'alls

Freedom Cap Comeback with Cuthrell Walk-Off

Published on May 26, 2016 under Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release


Collins Cuthrell of the Florence Freedom
Collins Cuthrell of the Florence Freedom
(Florence Y'alls)

Florence, Ky. - The Florence Freedom, presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions, scored seven runs in the final two innings and capped off their comeback, 8-7 victory with a walk-off, two-RBI single from Collins Cuthrell.

The Freedom (4-7) trailed 6-1 heading into the eighth inning, but recorded seven runs on eight hits in the final two frames to split the series with the Miners (7-4).

Florence started their comeback in the eighth as Andre Mercurio led off the inning with a single. Daniel Fraga then doubled to put two in scoring position. The next batter, Taylor Oldham, grounded a ball to third base, which prompted Fraga to dart for third, but Mercurio stayed put at third. After a long run-down, everyone was safe and Oldham reached on the fielder's choice. Austin Newell came up next and delivered an RBI hit to make the score 6-2. After Josh Henderson grounded into a double play, scoring Fraga, Cuthrell brought home Oldham on a single and pulled the Freedom to within two at 6-4.

Southern Illinois added a run in the ninth to put the Freedom in a three-run hole against the Miners' closer Zach Cooper. Garrett Vail started the rally by stroking a ball through the left side with one away. After Mercurio walked, Fraga struck out to put Florence's back against the wall. Oldham popped up what looked like out number three, but the ball fell in shallow right-center between three Miners fielders. Vail and Mercirio scored on the play to make the score 7-6. After Newell walked and Josh Henderson reached on an infield hit, Cuthrell came up clutch for the Freedom with a line drive one-hopper past the glove of the third baseman.

It didn't look good for the Freedom early, as the Miners jumped all over Florence starter Brandon Bargas. Craig Massey led off the game with a home run to left, while Nolan Earley drove a booing shot to right for the first two Southern Illinois runs. The Miners added two more in the second and one in the fifth to lead 5-0 halfway through the ballgame. Southern Illinois added their final two runs without recording a hit.

Dyllon Neurnberg held the Florence offense in check for his first five innings, including sitting down 15 in a row at one point. The starter finished 5 2/3 innings, allowing one run and three hits, while striking out five.

The Freedom opened their scoring in the sixth as Mercurio singled and Fraga doubled him home. Cuthrell, who became the hero, came up with the bases loaded in the inning, but struck out to retire the side.

Florence recorded 10 of their 11 hits after the fifth inning, while the Freedom's pitching staff did not allow a single hit after the fifth. In three innings, Pete Levitt, Tony Vocca, and Ethan Gibbons combined for three innings of no-hit, one-run baseball out of the bullpen.

Cuthrell led the Florence offense with three RBIs, including two on the walk-off single. Oldham also drove in two, while Fraga and Mercurio joined them with two hits.

Southern Illinois used four relievers, but Cooper was hit the hardest, allowing all four runs on four hits and two walks in the ninth.

Florence will try to ride the momentum from tonight's win into a six-game road trip. It all begins in Sauget, Illinois where the Freedom will take on the Gateway Grizzlies tomorrow (Friday, May 27) in an 8:05 p.m. first pitch. Patrick McGrath will make his third start of the season.

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.

Check out the Florence Y'alls Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Images from this story

Collins Cuthrell of the Florence Freedom
Collins Cuthrell of the Florence Freedom
   



Frontier League Stories from May 26, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central