Freedom Open 2015 in Style with Win over Joliet
Published on May 14, 2015 under Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release
Sam Eberle Homers for the Florence Freedom
(Florence Y'alls)
(Florence, KY) - The Florence Freedom, presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions, scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning. It was all the run support the Freedom's pitching staff needed on the evening, as Florence (1-0) defeated the Joliet Slammers (0-1) 3-1 on the opening night of Frontier League season.
After Joliet scored its only run of the game in the top of the first, the Freedom got on the scoreboard in the bottom half of the frame. Sean Mahley walked to start the threat. Jake Luce followed with a single to put runners on first and second. After Sam Eberle grounded into a fielder's choice to put runners on the corners, Cody Bishop delivered the eventual game winning hit, ripping a triple over the head of Slammer centerfielder Charlie White. The triple plated both Mahley and Eberle to give the Freedom a 2-1 lead after one inning.
Opening Night starter Coleman Stephens (1-0) turned in a fantastic performance in his Freedom debut, picking up the win. After allowing his only run of the evening in the first, Stephens settled in to a groove for the rest of his outing. Stephens fired seven innings, allowed only five hits and one run while fanning four batters.
Eberle gave the Freedom bullpen some breathing room in the bottom half of the 8th. The 2014 all-star blasted a towering home run over the left field fence off Slammer reliever James Woods. Eberle finished the day 2-4 at the dish with a home run and a double.
Ethan Gibbons and closer Ed Kohout combined to shut the door to preserve the first victory of the season for the Freedom. Gibbons tossed a scoreless 8th inning while striking out one Slammer. Kohout earned his first save of the season by working his way out of a two-runner on jam.
The Freedom take the field against the Slammers again Friday night at 7:05 p.m. Johnny Bench and George Foster will coach the team on what should be an amazing evening at UC Health Stadium. Limited tickets remain.
Fans who can't make the games can listen live to all 96 Freedom games on http://mixlr.com/florencefreedom/.
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, presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions, are members of the Frontier League of Professional Baseball. The Frontier League is the oldest continuously operating independent professional league, entering its 23rd season in 2015. For more information about the Frontier League visit www.frontierleague.com.
Images from this story
 Sam Eberle Homers for the Florence Freedom |
Frontier League Stories from May 14, 2015
- ThunderBolts Fall 2-0 to Schaumburg in Season Opener - Windy City ThunderBolts
- Freedom Open 2015 in Style with Win over Joliet - Florence Y'alls
- Boomers Open Season with Shutout - Schaumburg Boomers
- Slammers Lose to Freedom in Season Opener - Joliet Slammers
- May 14 Florence Freedom Game Notes - Florence Y'alls
- Bosse Field to Show 'A League of Their Own' June 5th - Evansville Otters
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