FL Florence Y'alls

Freedom Hang on to Beat ThunderBolts

Published on August 19, 2014 under Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release


(Florence, KY) - The Florence Freedom (35-45) scored three runs in the first inning on Tuesday and hung on to beat the Windy City ThunderBolts (30-51) by a score of 5-4.

Chuck Weaver (6-5) scattered 10 hits over seven plus innings while allowing three runs, walking one and striking out three to get the victory.

Florence jumped on Windy City starter Eli Anderson (1-7) for three runs in the first. Cole Miles got things started with a single. Zak Blair walked and Sam Eberle reached on a fielder's choice as the ThunderBolts tried to get Blair at second and failed, loading the bases. Jacob Tanis followed with a sacrifice fly and the Freedom took a 1-0 lead. Then with two outs, Ross was hit by a pitch to re-load the bases. Adam Taylor was also hit by a pitch, scoring the second run of the inning. Then Rolando Gomez drew a walk, forcing in the third run as Florence grabbed a 3-0 lead.

The ThunderBolts struck back with two runs in the second inning. Ryan Soares and Max White both singled. Then Davidson Peguero singled home Soares for Windy City's first run of the game. After a fielder's choice put runners at first and third, another fielder's choice cut the Freedom's lead to 3-2.

Gomez drew a walk to lead-off the fourth inning. He stole second and went to third when Michael Allen's throw went into center field. Gaby Juarbe hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Gomez as the Freedom extended their lead to 4-2.

Windy City threatened throughout the night but things really got tough in the eighth. Weaver gave up three straight singles to start the inning. Kyle Robinson's single brought in Andrew Brauer to cut Florence's lead to 4-3.

"Pistol" Pete Levitt entered the game and uncorked a wild pitch to put runners at second and third with nobody out and one run already in for Windy City. But after that, Levitt shut down the ThunderBolts as he got Soares to ground out to Eberle, who was playing in so the runners had to hold. Then he struck out White and Peguero to end the inning as the Freedom held on to their one-run lead.

Gomez provided a huge insurance run for the Freedom in the bottom of the eighth as he homered to left-center field.

Ed Kohout entered the game in the ninth and the ThunderBolts rallied again. With one away Garrett Carey singled. With two outs and Windy City down to their final strike, Andrew Brauer doubled home Carey to cut the Freedom lead to 5-4. But Kohout struck out Mike Torres to end the game and the right-hander picked up his fourth save of the season.

The Freedom play a double header on Wednesday starting at 5:35 p.m. eastern time. Dave Middendorf (4-7, 4.63 ERA) takes the hill for game one while Michael O'Neal (2-4, 5.40 ERA) gets the call for game two.

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 Frontier League of Professional Baseball. The Frontier League is the oldest continuously operating independent professional league, entering its 22nd season in 2014. For more information about the Frontier League visit www.frontierleague.com.

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Frontier League Stories from August 19, 2014


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