June 9 Florence Freedom Game Notes
June 9, 2015 - Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release
FLORENCE FREEDOM (8-13) @ RIVER CITY RASCALS (12-9)
Tuesday, June 9, 2015 - 7:35 p.m. ET
T.R. Hughes Ballpark - O'Fallon, MO
Game #22 - Road Game #7 (8-13), (1-5)
Florence: RHP #23 Chuck Weaver (2-1, 3.12 ERA)
River City: RHP #8 Marc Rutledge (1-2, 3.96 ERA)
Last time out...
The Freedom won their series finale with the Crushers in 10 innings by a score of 5-4 on a Cody Bishop walk-off walk. The Freedom jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the game as Ozzy Gonzalez contributed a two-RBI single in the first and Sam Eberle drove in two of his own in the second. But Lake Erie rallied to eventually tie the game. The Crushers tallied three in the third and one more in the sixth to even things
at three. Jason Postill went four innings, allowing three runs on four hits in his first start since 2011. Daniel Fraga was hit by a pitch to start the threat in the 10th. He stole second to put himself in scoring position. Sam Eberle was intentionally walked to put runners on first and second. Ozzy Gonzalez followed with another walk to load the bases with two outs and Bishop coming up. He took a 3-1 pitch low for the game winning walk. Ed Kohout worked a scoreless inning of relief for the victory.
For Starters...
Chuck Weaver is coming off his first loss of the season on June 3 as he gave up four runs on eight hits in five innings to the Beach Bums in a 6-3 loss for Florence. Previously, Weaver had dominated in his first three starts, winning the league's Pitcher of the Week award for his career high 11 strike outs in eight shutout innings on May 21 against the Greys. Weaver shined in 2014 as he finished the season with a 2.65 ERA, good for first on the team and fifth in the Frontier League. His notable outings included a career high eight innings of one-run ball against Southern Illinois on June 14, seven innings of one run ball on June 28 against River City, seven innings of shutout ball against Gateway on July 3 and seven innings of shutout ball against Traverse City on August 13. In 17 starts, Weaver went six or more innings 13 times. Weaver was signed by the Freedom in June 2013 after he finished up his collegiate career at IPFW. He had a solid rookie season, posting a 4-2 record with a 3.70 ERA in 14 appearances, 12 starts. The Ft. Wayne, Ind. native started 13 games as a senior for the Mastadons, posting a 2-5 with a 3.57 ERA. Weaver threw two complete games as a senior and pitched 70.2 innings. He played two years for IPFW after transferring from Vincennes University where he was named to the NJCAA All-Academic team.
Here's the situation...
The Freedom are hitting .240 as a team but only .222 with runners in scoring position. Meanwhile their pitching staff is allowing opponents to hit .301 with runners in scoring position and .354 with runners in scoring position and two outs. It gets worse with the bases loaded. The Freedom are only hitting .100 with the bases juiced while opponents are hitting .429 with the bases full this year. Sam Eberle in particular has noticed a big drop with men on bases. Leading off, Eberle is hitting .364 but with runners in scoring position he is only hitting .182 and is at .154 with runners in scoring position and two outs. Austin Newell on the other hand is hitting a scorching .400 with runners in scoring position this season.
I plead the fifth...
The fifth inning has been a disaster for the Freedom this season. Opponents are outscoring them by a count of 34-7 in the fifth frame.
Walk it out...
The Freedom have drawn 86 walks this year, that's tied for the most in the Frontier League.
Hit Parade...
The Freedom pitching staff has given up 201 hits on the season, the most in the Frontier League.
Run this way...
The Freedom's 46 stolen bases this season are the most in the Frontier League.
Against the Rascals...
The Freedom went 3-6 against the Rascals last season and 1-2 away from home.
Road Woes...
The Freedom have a 1-5 road record so far this season. They went 13-29 on the road in 2014.
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Frontier League Stories from June 9, 2015
- Slammers Defeat Washington 11-1 - Washington Wild Things
- Late Outburst Propels Freedom Past Rascals - Florence Y'alls
- Miners Ride Middle-Inning Momentum, Pound Greys - Southern Illinois Miners
- Slammers Win Big over Wild Things - Joliet Slammers
- Crushers pitching staff shuts down Aviators, offense uses longball - Lake Erie Crushers
- Grizzlies Come up Short in Pitchers' Duel at Traverse City - Gateway Grizzlies
- Crushers Blank Aviators 3-0 - Rockford Aviators
- Fromer Grizzlies Breyman & Holdren Selected into Frontier League Hall of Fame - Gateway Grizzlies
- June 9 Florence Freedom Game Notes - Florence Y'alls
- 2015 Hall of Fame Inductees Announced for All-Star Game in Schaumburg - FL
- 2015 Hall of Fame Inductees Announced for All-Star Game in Schaumburg - Schaumburg Boomers
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