Losing Streak Reaches Four Games As Florence Falls Again
Published on May 27, 2018 under Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release
WASHINGTON, Pa - Looking to salvage one game in a best of three series with the Wild Things, the Florence Freedom, presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions, surrendered five unanswered runs in the seventh and eighth innings to drop their fourth contest in a row, 5-4, on Sunday at Wild Things Park.
With southpaw Marty Anderson (2-1) on in relief and the Freedom (8-7) leading Washington (9-6), 4-2, in the bottom of the eighth, James Harris worked a one out walk and Carter McEachern singled to setup up a bases clearing triple by Roman Collins that knotted the game up at four. Kyle Pollack continued a huge series at the plate by driving in the go-ahead run with an ensuing flare that dropped in front of a diving Andre Mercurio in center, as the Wild Things took a, 5-4, lead into the top of the ninth. Pollack finished the series having driven in the winning run in all three games.
Sam Mersing took the mound to record the final three outs and promptly beaned Brandon Pugh, putting the tying run on base to start the frame. After a Connor Crane strikeout, Pugh attempted to steal second base but over slid the bag and was tagged out for the second out of the inning. Jose Brizuela then ended the game with a ground-out to second as Mersing succeeded in recording his first save of the season. Davis Adkins (2-1) earned the win in relief, tossing two shutout innings and picking up a pair of strikeouts in the process.
Florence capitalized on three Washington errors and a Connor Crane double to score three runs in the top of the first. Pugh led-off with a walk before Crane circled the bases on a gapper to left-center that was misplayed twice for a pair of errors as the Freedom led, 2-0, after two batters. Andre Mercurio worked a walk next and reached third base moments later when an Aaron Burns pick-off to first base caromed off the glove of Reydel Medina and rolled down the line in right field. Xavier Turner would drive in Mercurio one batter later, as he sent a slow roller towards Burns who attempted to throw out Mercurio at home but bounced the throw, giving Florence a, 3-0, lead after one frame. Burns would last just three innings in his first start of the season for Washington, turning in a final line that included three runs, two earned, on three hits with four walks in a no-decision.
The Freedom would extend their lead to four in the top of the sixth courtesy a Nick Crouse ground rule double to left-center that paved the way to an Austin Wobrock RBI-single to center. Wobrock tallied three singles in the finale against his former team, finishing the game 3-4 at the plate with the one run batted in.
On in relief of Freedom starter Zach Kirby in the bottom of the seventh, right-hander Cody Gray took the mound with the Freedom up, 4-0. After retiring the first man he faced, Pollack lifted a towering home run to left field, his second of the series and team-leading fifth of the season to make the score, 4-1. When a Wobrock throwing error allowed Hector Roa to scamper to second base, Reydel Medina made it a two-run game, shooting an RBI-single to center as the Freedom lead shriveled to 4-2.
In his debut start of the season, Kirby was perfect through 3.2 innings before Roman Collins doubled to end his bid. The right-hander would spin six shutout innings and allow just one hit and one walk with five strikeouts en route to a no-decision.
Florence will enjoy a pair of off-days before continuing their nine game road trip with a doubleheader on Wednesday agaisnt the Evansville Otters at historic Bosse Field. The Wild Things will travel to Joliet Route 66 Stadium next, where a three game set with the Slammers awaits.
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 27, 2018
- Belters Take Both Home Series and Chirino Ties for Second All-Time in Hits - Normal CornBelters
- Losing Streak Reaches Four Games As Florence Falls Again - Florence Y'alls
- ThunderBolts Drop Rubber Match 8-0 - Windy City ThunderBolts
- Wild Things Sweep Florence with Comeback Win - Washington Wild Things
- Evansville Drops Heartbreaker in Extras 2-1 against Traverse City - Evansville Otters
- Benard Provides 12th Inning Magic as Beach Bums Take Series vs Evansville - Traverse City Beach Bums
- Miners Storm Back to Top Slammers in Extras - Southern Illinois Miners
- Slammers Slip in Extra Innings to Southern Illinois - Joliet Slammers
- Smith's Gem Propels Gateway to Win - Gateway Grizzlies
- Fowler Turns in Solid Outing in 2-1 Loss to Gateway - Schaumburg Boomers
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