May 16 Florence Freedom Game Notes
May 16, 2014 - Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release
FLORENCE FREEDOM (1-0) vs. WASHINGTON WILD THINGS (0-1)
Friday, May 16 - 6:35 p.m. CT
UC Health Stadium - Florence, KY
Game #2 - Home Game #2 (1-0), (1-0)
LHP #30 Dave Middendorf (12-7, 2.60 ERA, 2013) vs. RHP #30 Chris Phelan (7-2, 2.21 ERA, 2013)
Last time out...
Oak Hills Academy alum Kyle Bluestein drew a bases-loaded walk in the ninth to drive in Cole Miles. Miles reached to start the inning on a three-base throwing error by Washington reliever Alfonso Yevoli (0-1). Two intentional walks and a strikeout later, Bluestein worked the count full and then watched ball four go by as Florence prevailed. The Freedom played long ball against Washington starter Scott Dunn. Dunn surrendered a two-run home run to reigning Frontier League MVP Jacob Tanis in the first. Joe Staley followed with a homer as well as the Freedom went back-to-back to take a 3-0 lead. Nick Stein would make that lead 4-0 with an opposite field bomb in the fourth. Washington rallied against Brad Allen in the fifth, scoring five runs to take the lead. But a Staley RBI double tied the game in the bottom of the frame and the Florence bullpen did the rest with some help from Bluestein in the ninth.
For Starters...
The Freedom acquired Dave Middendorf in a trade from the Lake Erie Crushers on March 12, 2014. He was one of the top pitchers in the entire Frontier League in 2013, going 12-7 with a 2.60 ERA in 21 games, 19 starts for the Crushers. He was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 22nd Round of the 2011 MLB Draft out of Northern Kentucky University. Middendorf was originally selected by the Yankees in the 44th round one year earlier, but went back to school instead. He pitched two years in the Royals' minor league system, reaching as high as Idaho Falls (Pioneer League). He went 3-4 with a 6.28 ERA over those two seasons with three saves. He made 39 appearances, all in a relief role and struck out 52 while walking 19 over 67.1 innings of work. Middendorf was named an NCAA Division II first-team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association after posting a 9-3 record with a 1.73 earned run average. His 127 strikeouts in 2011 set a new single-season record at NKU and were good for second among all Division II pitchers. He also set a career mark for strikeouts with 349 over his four years with the Norse. His 25 career wins rank third all-time at NKU and his 2.53 career ERA is fourth. Along with the All-Americans honors, Middendorf was named the Great Valley Conference and Midwest Region pitcher of the year.
Strong relief...
The Freedom bullpen tossed four no-hit innings last night to help the Freedom win their opener.
Bombs away...
Florence smacked three home runs last night and scored four of their six runs via the long ball. Jacob Tanis, who hit dingers last year against the Wild Things hit one as did Nick Stein, who had two homers last year against Washington. Florence has hit 15 home runs in their last 13 games against Washington. Washington added two long balls of their own, both coming in their five-run fifth inning.
Returning to the Freedom for 2014...
Florence returns 9 active players from their 2013 squad. RHP Daniel DeSimone (8-4, 2.91 ERA), RHP Casey Henn (5-0, 3.67 ERA), RHP Jorge Marban (2-4, 2.04 ERA), RHP Chuck Weaver (4-2, 3.69 ERA), INF Jacob Tanis (.264, 17 HR, 72 RBI), INF Bobby Joe Tannehill (.210, 1 HR, 9 RBI), OF Kyle Bluestein (.164, 3 HR, 17 RBI), OF Cole Miles (.205, 0 HR, 6 RBI), and OF Nick Stein (.291, 2 HR, 7 RBI).
Health is key...
The last time Cole Miles had a completely healthy season was 2011 for the Freedom. All he did that year was steal 40 bases and record a .308 batting average at the plate. The last two years have been full of injuries but a healthy Miles at the top of the order is a dangerous Miles.
Tonight's Special Jersey Number...
Kyle Bluestein is wearing number 61 tonight. The jersey will be auctioned off after the game to benefit the Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky, sponsored by Braden & Associates Law Firm.
Transaction Wire...
The Freedom released catcher Matt Albaugh today and signed catcher Gaby Juarbe.
Frontier League Stories from May 16, 2014
- Aviators Drop Season Opener 2-0 - Rockford Aviators
- Windy City ThunderBolts Win Season Opener 5-1 - Windy City ThunderBolts
- Slammers Win Season Opener 5-4 - Joliet Slammers
- Oliver, Grizzlies Handle Beach Bums 5-1 - Traverse City Beach Bums
- Lake Erie wins 2014 season opener - Lake Erie Crushers
- Grizzlies Handle Beach Bums in Season Opener - Gateway Grizzlies
- Otters' Offense Limited on Opening Night in 5-0 Loss to Normal - Evansville Otters
- CornBelters Open Season with Shutout Win over Otters - Normal CornBelters
- Boomers Fall in Season Opener - Schaumburg Boomers
- Washington Falls to Florence 6-2 Friday - Washington Wild Things
- Middendorf Leads Freedom to Another Victory - Florence Y'alls
- Reigning Frontier League Champion Schaumburg Boomers Set Opening Day Roster - Schaumburg Boomers
- May 16 Florence Freedom Game Notes - Florence Y'alls
- Otters Open 2014 Regular Season at Normal CornBelters - Evansville Otters
- Miners to Retire Metropoulos' Number 31 - Southern Illinois Miners
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