July 31 Florence Freedom Game Notes
Published on July 31, 2015 under Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release
FLORENCE FREEDOM (30-33) @ WASHINGTON WILD THINGS (27-36)
Friday, July 31, 2015 - 7:05 p.m. ET
CONSOL Energy Park - Washington, PA
Game #64 - Road Game #28 (30-33), (15-12)
RHP #33 Tony Vocca (3-1, 2.22 ERA) vs. RHP #34 Ernie Zaragoza (5-5, 3.54 ERA)
Last time out...
The Freedom split a doubleheader with the Lake Erie Crushers on Thursday. Florence won game one 4-2 as they scored four runs in the fourth inning. Zac Mitchell hit a solo home run and Justin Harris added a RBI single in the frame. Florence scored two runs when Harris stole second with runners at first and third. The throw went into center and both runners came around to make it 4-0. Chuck Weaver dominated on the mound for the Freedom to pick up the win. Lake Erie managed a couple runs in the eighth but Ethan Gibbons and Ed Kohout shut the door after that. The Crushers got the Freedom back in game two by a score of 2-0. Jose Barraza and Anderson Hidalgo hit back-to-back home runs in the sixth off Jeremy Gooding to give Lake Erie the lead for good in the seven-inning game. Todd Kibby, Mike Devine and Daniel DeSimone shut down the Freedom's offense. The Freedom have scored a combined one run in Gooding's three losses this season.
For Starters...
Tony Vocca makes his sixth start of the season and his 21st overall appearance this year for the Freedom. He is coming off his first loss of the season, as he gave up one run on two hits in two innings of work out of the bullpen on July 26 against the Southern Illinois Miners in a 2-1 loss for Florence. Vocca's most recent start came against the Rockford Aviators on July 22 as he got a no-decision in a 4-2 loss for Florence. Vocca gave up two runs on three hits over four innings in that game. He faced the Wild Things out of the bullpen on June 24 and pitched one inning of shutout ball in a 2-1 defeat for the Freedom. A native of Cottonwood, Arizona, Vocca played his college ball first at Yavapai College, then the University of Utah and later for Minnesota State University-Mankato. He posted a 12-8 record and 5.21 ERA over the course of his four-year college career, also tallying 125 strikeouts in 140 innings pitched. In 2013, after his college days were over, Vocca pitched for the Prescott Montezuma Federals of the Freedom Pro Baseball League, a four-team independent league based out of Arizona. Vocca spent this past winter pitching for the Adelaide Bite of the Australian Baseball League.
Against the Wild Things...
The Freedom are 1-2 so far this season against Washington as the Wild Things took two of three at UC Health Stadium June 24-25. Florence's two losses in the series were by a combined three runs.
For openers...
The Freedom are 9-12 so far this season in series openers. When the Freedom win the series opener they have gone on to win the series 7 times.
Hitting Zaragoza...
The Freedom chased tonight's Washington starter Ernie Zaragoza after only 2/3rds of an inning back on June 24. Florence scored six runs, two of which were earned, on five hits. Zaragoza walked three batters as he couldn't get out of the first inning in a game the Freedom won 8-0.
Five is the magic number...
When the Freedom score 5 or more runs in a game they have a record of 21-3 this season.
Gibbons and Kohout...
The 8th and 9th innings combination of Ethan Gibbons and Ed Kohout has been lights out this season as Gibbons sports an ERA of 1.69 in 32 innings while Kohout has the lowest ERA on staff at 1.59 in 28.1 innings. They have combined for 15 saves, three wins and only two losses in 54 combined games. Their dominance is further shown by the Freedom's record of 23-0 when leading after seven innings.
Get on the board...
When the Freedom score first they have a record of 21-9 this season.
Road Warriors...
The Freedom have won 6 consecutive road series. Florence is currently 15-12 on the road. Meanwhile the Wild Things have a losing record at home at 12-21.
Transaction Wire...
The Freedom placed RHP Coleman Stephens on the 14-Day Disabled List today and activated RHP Jason Postill from the 14-Day DL.
Frontier League Stories from July 31, 2015
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- July 31 Florence Freedom Game Notes - Florence Y'alls
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