Freedom Shutout by Otters in Opener
May 31, 2019 - Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release
FLORENCE, Ky - Fresh off the heels of their first series sweep of the season, the Florence Freedom, presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions, stumbled in their first shutout loss of 2019, dropping the opener of a weekend series with the Evansville Otters, 4-0, on Friday night at UC Health Stadium.
Freedom (11-7) starter, Frank Valentino (1-2) was magnificent through five shutout innings of his own to start the night, matching a season high nine strikeouts before running into trouble in the sixth. Evansville (11-8) broke through courtesy back-to-back doubles in the frame from Dakota Phillips and Rob Calabrese as the visitors jumped in front, 1-0. Two batters later, Jack Meggs doubled the lead, knocking an RBI-single to right that scored Calabrese and made the score, 2-0. Valentino would go on to span 6.1 innings allowing the two earned runs on six hits with one walk and nine whiffs, notching his third quality start on the way to the bitter defeat.
Otters starter, Tyler Beardsley (2-1) cruised through his 6.2 innings of work, surrendering just a pair of Freedom hits with one walk and four strikeouts.
Adding to their advantage in the ninth, Evansville made it a four-run game when Hunter Cullen launched his fourth round-tripper of the season, a two-run shot off Jackson Owens that doubled their lead again at, 4-0.
Evansville relievers Taylor Wright and Danny Hrbek were masterful in relief of Beardsley, tallying seven strikeouts over the seven outs they recorded in 2.1 innings of work. Florence would strike out twelve times in the shutout loss.
One offensive highlight for the Freedom, reigning Frontier League Player of the Week, Austin Wobrock extended his hitting streak to nine games with a third inning double.
These two teams will meet in the middle-game of the weekend series on Saturday night. Florence will trot-out recently signed righty, Ryan Hill (0-0) opposite right-hander, Jake Welch (0-1) of Evansville with first pitch slated for 6:05 p.m. ET at UC Health Stadium.
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 May 31, 2019
- Miners Take Series Opener over Schaumburg - Southern Illinois Miners
- Wild Things Take Opener Behind Quick Start in Sauget - Washington Wild Things
- Beardsley's Strong Start, Run Support by Calabrese and Cullen Give Otters 4-0 Win - Evansville Otters
- Grizzlies Drop Opener to Washington - Gateway Grizzlies
- Boomers Edged in Opener at Southern Illinois - Schaumburg Boomers
- Rascals Win Opener Behind Roach's Gem - River City Rascals
- ThunderBolts Fall Short against River City - Windy City ThunderBolts
- Freedom Shutout by Otters in Opener - Florence Y'alls
- Crushers Slam Joliet in Series Opener - Lake Erie Crushers
- Grizzlies Weekend Home Games to Air on 590 The Fan - Gateway Grizzlies
- Davis Walks off Rascals in Eleventh, Miners Win Series - Southern Illinois Miners
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