Freedom Quieted by Normal in Series Finale
Published on July 26, 2018 under Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release
FLORENCE, Ky - Needing a win to take the mid-week series, the Florence Freedom, presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions, got out-dueled by former Freedom pitcher, Zach Kirby in a, 4-3, loss to the Normal CornBelters on Thursday night at UC Health Stadium, dropping the set two games to one.
It took Florence (31-31) a couple of innings to solve their former teammate, but they struck first against the Cornbelters (30-30) starter, Kirby (2-1) in the third inning. Austin Wobrock split the right-center gap with his twelfth double of the season before Harrison White continued produced an RBI-single to give Florence a, 1-0, edge. After Lopes wore a pitch on the elbow to put runners at first and second, Jordan Brower recorded RBI number 31 on the year with a one-bagger to center. The Freedom enjoyed a two-run lead into the top of the sixth inning.
Despite scattering two hits and one walk, Freedom starter, Steve Hagen (6-5) faced the minimum through his first five frames. The streak was snapped with Florence in front, 2-0, in the top of the sixth. Jacob Bissell led-off the inning with his first home-run of the year, a solo shot that cut the Belters deficit in half. The visitors were then able to tie the game after a pair of singles paved the way to an Xavier Turner error at third base, the miscue allowing the tying run to cross, knotting the score at, 2-2.
One inning after recording his first round-tripper of the year, Bissel unloaded on homer number two, a two-run shot to dead-center that pushed Normal ahead, 4-2. Hagen finished his night having notched quality start number seven on the season, spanning 7 innings while allowing four runs, three earned, on eight hits with two walks and two whiffs.
Tyler Gibson entered for the eighth inning to relieve Hagen, who exited after another solid outing. In total, he was charged with four runs, three of which were earned, on eight hits to go along with two walks and two strikeouts.
Kirby started the bottom of the eighth with a quick first out, but after Caleb Lopes singled and advanced to second on a Brower walk, the Cornbelters went to the bullpen. Billy Horn called on the right-hander, Jonathan De Marte for the final two outs. They would not come easily, as Ewing singled to load the bases, and Xavier Turner recorded his fourth RBI of the series with a sacrifice-fly to center. However, with the score, 4-3, and the tying run in scoring position at second, Ricky Ramirez Jr. rolled a ground ball to second to end the threat.
Kirby tossed 7.1 innings in a quality start victory, allowing only three runs on seven hits with a walk and four strikeouts.
Hoping to keep it a one-run game going into the bottom of the ninth, Freedom manager, Dennis Pelfrey, called on Jake Haberer for the top half of the frame. Haberer would give up a double and a walk, but struck out the last two men he faced to preserve the, 4-3, score.
However, De Marte worked a quick bottom of the ninth, pitching around an error by Santiago Chirino that allowed Wobrock to reach on his way to save number two on the season, and a series victory for the green and gold.
The Freedom will now board the bus for a week-long road trip to Southern Illinois and Schaumburg. Chuck Weaver will take the ball as Florence looks to get back to their winning ways in the opener with the Miners on Friday. First pitch at Rent One Park is set for 7:05 p.m. CT. The CornBelters will return home to the Corn Crib where a weekend series with the last-place in the West, Gateway Grizzlies awaits in Normal, IL.
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.
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