Freedom Fall in Finale with Wild Things
Published on July 5, 2018 under Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release
FLORENCE, Ky - Looking to break .500 for the first time since May 27, the Florence Freedom, presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions, were overwhelmed by an offensive explosion from the Washington Wild Things, losing the finale, 12-4, on Thursday night at UC Health Stadium.
Washington (28-20) jumped out to an early, 3-0, advantage in the top of the first. Steve Hagen (6-3) recorded two quick outs for the Freedom (23-24), but lost Roman Collins to a walk on a close pitch. Kyle Pollock made Hagen pay one batter later, depositing his ninth home run of the season over the wall in right field. The Wild Things would go back-to-back, as Hector Roa smashed the first pitch he saw out to left for his second big-fly in as many nights. Freedom manager Dennis Pelfrey was ejected after making a mound visit in the frame.
Jacob Wark helped the Freedom begin to chip away at the Washington lead against the Wild Things starter Chase Cunningham (3-3). Wark led off the second inning by tallying his second home run of the series, a solo-shot that made it a, 3-1, game.
The Wild Things were able to extend their lead again in the fourth, utilizing good situational hitting as the score moved to, 7-1, in their favor. Mike Hill and Louis Mele began the inning with singles, and an error at first by Wark on a grounder from Conner Simonetti loaded the bases. Brett Marr and James Harris followed with a pair of sacrifice flies before Carter McEachern turned on his first homer of the season, plating two-more as the Freedom deficit ballooned to six.
Florence pushed one across in the bottom of the frame courtesy a Washington error. Wark and Turner were standing on first and second after a single and a hit by pitch, respectively, but took the next base each on a double steal. Pollock threw wildly to third on the play, allowing Wark to cross the plate and make it a five-run game at, 7-2. Cunningham was able to mitigate the damage, escaping the jam with just one run allowed in the inning.
Mike Hill joined the Wild Things home run parade in the top of the fifth, following a Roa single with his first of two round-trippers on the night to stretch the Washington lead back to seven, 9-2.
Ricky Ramirez Jr. got in on the action in the sixth, notching his third home run in four games as the Freedom again pulled within six.
However, the onslaught continued for Washington off Hagen in the seventh. Hill was the last batter the right-hander would face, as Hill launched his second two-run homer of the night, pushing the Wild Things in front, 11-3.Brian McKenna came on to relieve Hagen, who exited having thrown 6.2 innings, allowing 11 runs on 11 hits, with five strikeouts and only one walk.
The Wild Things tacked on one final run in the eighth off McKenna, slapping three straight singles with two outs to make the score, 12-3.
Cunningham gave way to the bullpen in the eighth, having allowed only three runs on five hits, to go along with three walks and three strikeouts.
The Freedom plated their final run in the bottom of the eighth, courtesy an RBI single from Ramirez Jr. His third hit of the night, and his second RBI of the evening, scored Wark from third who had led off the inning with a double.
Eric Gleese entered for the ninth, and worked a scoreless ninth to keep the score, 12-4, the eventual final as Florence was erased in order in the home half of the ninth.
Florence will travel to Lake Erie for their final three games before the All-Star break. First pitch against the Crushers at Sprenger Stadium is scheduled for 7:05 on Friday 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.
Frontier League Stories from July 5, 2018
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- Wild Things Power Way to 12-4 Win Thursday - Washington Wild Things
- Timely Hitting Leads to Bums Win over Southern Illinois - Traverse City Beach Bums
- Freedom Fall in Finale with Wild Things - Florence Y'alls
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- Suarez, Ortiz Added to All-Star Game Roster - River City Rascals
- Shepard, Tinius Added to Experienced All-Star Team - Southern Illinois Miners
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