FL Florence Y'alls

May 15 Florence Freedom Game Notes

Published on May 15, 2015 under Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release


FLORENCE FREEDOM (1-0) vs. JOLIET SLAMMERS (0-1)

Friday, May 15, 2015 - 7:05 p.m. ET

UC Health Stadium - Florence, KY

Game #2 - Home Game #2 (1-0), (1-0)

Florence: RHP #31 Casey Henn (9-6, 2.71 ERA, 2014)

Joliet: RHP #30 Jordan Guth (3-4, 3.04 ERA, 2014)

Last time out ...

Coleman Stephens (1-0) tossed seven innings of one run ball and Cody Bishop tripled home two runs in the first inning as the Florence Freedom 1-0), presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions, knocked off the Joliet Slammers (0-1) by a final score of 3-1 on Opening Night 2015. Joliet actually got on the board first when Chris Serritella doubled home Nate Roberts in the top of the first inning. But after that Stephens was lights out for the Freedom. In the bottom of the first, Sean Mahley walked to start the frame. After a Jake Luce single and a fielder's choice put runners at the corners, Bishop delivered what turned out to be the game-winning hit, a two-RBI triple. Sam Eberle added a solo home run later in the contest to provide some insurance. Ed Kohout earned his first save of 2015 for the Freedom. Defensively, Michael Pair threw out a pair of runners trying to steal in the contest.

For Starters...

Casey Henn was one of the top pitchers in the entire Frontier League in 2014. He led the Freedom with nine wins and tallied a team-leading 111 strike outs, good for fourth in the league. Henn's 2.72 ERA in 2014 was tied for the sixth lowest in the league while his 122.2 innings pitched was good for the third most in the league. Some of his notable outings included seven innings of one-run ball against Lake Erie on June 4, seven innings of shutout ball against Windy City on June 11, seven innings of shutout ball against River City on June 29, seven and a third innings of shutout ball against Lake Erie on July 18, seven innings out shutout ball against Normal on August 9, seven innings of one-run ball against Joliet on August 15 and seven and two thirds innings of shutout ball against Windy City on August 21. Henn had a sensational rookie season for the Freedom, posting a 5-0 record with a 3.67 ERA for Florence fresh out of Wright State University. In nine appearances, eight starts, Henn struck out 38 batters in 49 innings while only allowing only 39 hits.

5.15 Coaching Staff...

Johnny Bench and George Foster have been added to the Freedom's coaching staff tonight. Bench played 17 seasons in the Major Leagues and spent his entire career with the Cincinnati Reds. A 14-time All-Star, Bench earned the NL MVP Award in 1972 and helped lead "The Big Red Machine" to World Series championships in 1975 and 1976. Bench is a member of Major League Baseball's All-Century Team. Foster spent 18 seasons in the Major Leagues and was a five-time All-Star. The 1977 NL MVP also played a key role in leading "The Big Red Machine" to back-to-back World Series titles in 1975 and 1976. Foster finished his career with 348 home runs.

Returnees...

Freedom fans will recognize a number of returning players this year to the Freedom. Eight of the team's 24 players were on the team last year. They are: RHP Pete Levitt, RHP Daniel DeSimone, RHP Chuck Weaver, RHP Casey Henn, RHP Ed Kohout, Catcher Gaby Juarbe, INF Sam Eberle and OF Ryan Solberg.

New Freedom manager Dennis Pelfrey...

2015 marks Dennis Pelfrey's first year as the Freedom's manager. He takes over for Fran Riordan who was hired in the off-season to manage the Beloit Snappers, the single-A affiliate of the Oakland A's. Pelfrey, 37, played six seasons of professional baseball from 1999-2004 after his collegiate days at Northwood University in Texas. Most of those six seasons were spent in the Frontier League as Pelfrey manned multiple infield positions for the Dubois County Dragons, Kenosha Mamoths and the Springfield/Ozark Ducks. Pelfrey spent the past four seasons coaching for the Gary SouthShore RailCats under veteran manager Greg Tagert. His tenure included a 2013 American Association championship.

Today's Special Jersey Number...

Jake Luce is wearing jersey #61 tonight. The jersey is auctioned off to benefit the Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky.

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