Freedom Pitching Staff Shuts Down Rockford in Game One
July 23, 2015 - Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release
Florence Freedom Pitcher Cody Gray
(Florence Y'alls, Credit: Toni Hanson)
(Florence, KY) - The Florence Freedom (27-29), presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions, used five pitchers to shutout the Rockford Aviators (31-24) by a final score of 2-0 Thursday morning in game one of a day/night doubleheader at UC Health Stadium.
It's the fourth shutout thrown by the Freedom this season and the first game they've won all year when scoring fewer than three runs.
Cody Gray (2-0) got the start for Florence and was outstanding, going five and a third innings of four-hit ball, striking out eight along the way. The Freedom have now won all four of Gray's starts. The Aviators' best chance to score came in the fifth against Gray when they put runners at second and third with nobody out. But Gray got out of the jam with three straight ground-outs.
After Devon Rodriguez doubled with one out in the sixth, "Pistol" Pete Levitt entered the game and got the final two outs of the frame while stranding Rodriguez at second.
Seth Harvey worked a perfect seventh, Ethan Gibbons retired the side in order in the eighth and Ed Kohout picked up his 11th save with a flawless ninth. Florence pitching retired the final 11 batters of the game in order.
Offensively, the Freedom got the only runs they needed in the fourth inning. Collins Cuthrell got things started with a single up the middle. Andrew Godbold singled on the infield as Cody Lenahan made a diving stop at second. Cuthrell hustled to third on the play and Godbold advanced to second when the Aviators attempted to throw out Cuthrell. With runners at second and third and nobody out, Sam Eberle delivered a RBI ground-out to score Cuthrell. Kyle Carter followed with a RBI single to plate Godbold and Florence grabbed a 2-0 lead they would not relinquish.
Florence will look to win the rubber match of the series later on Thursday night at 6:35 p.m. as Chuck Weaver (3-2, 3.64 ERA) takes the hill for the Freedom. It's Irish Heritage Night with $1 Thirsty Thursday drink specials! Fans can book their tickets for tonight's game here.
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.
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 Florence Freedom Pitcher Cody Gray (Toni Hanson) |
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