FL Florence Y'alls

May 28 Florence Freedom Game Notes

Published on May 28, 2015 under Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release


FLORENCE FREEDOM (6-5) @ GATEWAY GRIZZLIES (3-9)

Thursday, May 28, 2015 - 8:05 p.m. ET

GCS Ballpark- Sauget, IL

Game #12 - Road Game #6 (6-5), (1-4)

Florence: RHP #16 Jake Stephens (0-1, 19.28 ERA)

Gateway: RHP #32 Vincent Molesky (0-1, 11.57 ERA)

Last time out...

Austin Newell delivered a two strike, two out, two RBI single in the top of the ninth inning to put the Freedom ahead for good in a 7-5 win Wednesday night over the Gateway Grizzlies. Florence took a 4-0 lead as Cody Bishop hit a solo home run to get them on the board. Later, two runs would score on a wild pitch and Sean Mahley added a RBI single. Chuck Weaver was outstanding for the Freedom in a no-decision, going seven and a third innings and allowing only two runs. But Gateway rallied with four runs in the eighth inning to take a 5-4 lead. Blake Brown's three run home run, his second home run of the night, put Gateway ahead. Florence loaded the bases with nobody out in the ninth but Brett Zawacki struck out back to back hitters to bring up Newell. On the 10th pitch of the at bat, Newell delivered his clutch hit. Florence tallied one more run in the inning and Ed Kohout earned the save.

For Starters...

Jake Stephens is coming off a rough first start of the season as he gave up 10 runs on 11 hits in four and two thirds innings on May 22 against the Evansville Otters in a 10-1 loss for the Freedom. Stephens made his professional debut with the Grizzlies in 2013. In two seasons with Gateway he went 6-4 with a 4.32 ERA in 16 appearances, 10 starts. Stephens began his collegiate baseball career at Northwest Florida State College. He then transferred to NCAA Division II West Florida. He was mostly a starter at West Florida. However, he did make five relief appearances. During his senior season Stephens went 8-1 with a 1.63 ERA. He lowered his ERA from his junior season when it had been 3.57. During his senior year Stephens appeared in 15 games starting 11 of them. He threw three complete games, gave up 14 earned runs, walked 17 and struck out 52 hitters. His senior campaign ended with him owning a .206 opponent batting average.

Going for the series win...

With a win tonight the Freedom would win their third series of 2015 and their first series away from home. Florence won only two road series in all of 2014.

Drama in the ninth....

The Freedom won last night with a dramatic rally in the ninth inning. It's their first win this season when trailing after eight innings. Last year the Freedom went 2-31 when trailing after eight.

Newell heating up...

Over the last five games, Austin Newell is 9-20 (.450) at the plate with four RBI.

First is good...

The Freedom are outscoring teams 10-1 in the first inning so far this season.

Now walk it out...

Freedom hitters have walked 49 times this season, the second most walks in the Frontier League. Meanwhile, Gateway pitchers have walked 58 batters, the most in the league.

Run this way...

The Freedom's 27 stolen bases are the most in the Frontier League. They've been caught stealing eight times, the second most in the league.

Five or more...

When the Freedom score five or more runs they are 5-0. When they score fewer than five runs they are 1-5.

Leading after six...

In all six of the Freedom's wins this season they've held the lead after the completion of six innings. They have yet to lose when leading after six.

The right way?

The Freedom have yet to face a left handed starting pitcher in 2015, despite having a roster that features six left handed bats.

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