Freedom Split Double Header with Greys
Published on July 9, 2014 under Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release
(Florence, KY) - The Florence Freedom (21-24) fell short in game one of Wednesday's double header against the Frontier Greys (12-35) by a score of 5-3 but scored seven runs in the first inning of game two to prevail by a score of 9-3, splitting the twin bill.
In game one the Greys jumped on the board first in the third inning against Florence starter Chuck Weaver (4-2). Frank Florio doubled to dead center field to start the frame. The Greys bunted him to third and a Chase Tucker sacrifice fly made it 1-0. They would add another run in the fourth on a Joe Rapp solo home run to right field.
But the Freedom cut the Greys' lead in half with a run in the bottom half of the fourth. Joe Staley got things started with a walk, one of five total walks he drew in the twin bill. Ryan Solberg followed with a single and Rob Kelly reached on an infield single to load the bases with nobody out. A Chance Ross RBI single scored Staley to make the score 2-1. But Florence was unable to score any more runs in the frame, leaving the bases loaded.
The Freedom left 10 men on base in the defeat.
The Greys tallied another run in the fifth as Greg Bachman singled and Florio walked. A Sam Eberle error loaded the bases and Tucker delivered a RBI single to drive in Bachman. However, just like the Freedom in the previous half inning, the Greys were unable to score any more runs in the frame as Weaver limited the damage to one run.
A two-RBI double from Staley tied the game at three in the fifth.
But the Greys took the lead for good against Weaver in the sixth. Cameron Monger got the inning started with a single. One out later, another Eberle error put runners at the corners. A RBI sacrifice bunt from Bachman scored the go-ahead run as all Weaver could do was tag Bachman out as Monger crossed the plate.
The Greys added an insurance run in the seventh on a RBI fielder's choice and the Freedom were unable to respond on offense.
Weaver went six innings, giving up four runs, three earned, on five hits in the defeat. He walked one and did not strike anyone out.
Game two was a different story as Greys starter Eric Perrault struggled with his control and could only get one out in the first inning before being removed from the game. With one away he walked four batters and hit a pair of batters to make it 3-0 in favor of the Freedom. Orrin Sears would clear the bases with a three-RBI triple off new pitcher John Kovalik and Cole Miles tripled Sears home to make the score 7-0.
They never trailed in the game as Dave Middendorf (3-4) went the distance for the victory. The Greys pulled to within four run with a run in the second and two runs in the third but that is as close as they would get.
The Freedom added a run in the bottom of the third on a Ben Kline RBI double and a run in the fourth on Eberle's fifth home run of the season.
After that no one scored for the remainder of the game as the Freedom won easily despite being out-hit 7-5 in the contest. They drew seven walks, five of which came around to score.
The Freedom will look to take the series from the Greys on Thursday as they send rookie left-hander Michael O'Neal (1-0, 3.60 ERA) to the mound. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. eastern time.
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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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