FL Florence Y'alls

Miners Score Four in the Ninth to Stun Freedom

Published on July 29, 2014 under Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release


(Marion, IL) - Walks and errors in the bottom of the ninth doomed the Florence Freedom (25-36) on Tuesday night in a 6-5 loss to the Southern Illinois Miners (38-25).

The Freedom led 5-2 going to the bottom of the ninth and Jorge Marban (2-4) entered the game out of the bullpen to try and pick up the save. He walked the first three batters of the inning before striking out Steve Marino for out number one.

Phil Butler delivered a two-RBI single to left-center. Ryan Solberg's throw in to the infield went to no one, allowing Butler to advance to second.

Marban surrendered a single to Matt Howard to tie the game at five. Buddy Sosnoskie's throw home bounced in and got away from catcher Doug Joyce for the second throwing error of the inning for Florence. Pinch runner Tyler Booth scored and the Miners celebrated their stunning win.

Before the devastating ninth inning, things were looking up for Florence. They scored the first run of the game in the first inning on a Rob Kelly RBI single. The Miners tied the game in the bottom of the first when Frank Martinez doubled in Niko Vasquez.

Southern Illinois took a 2-1 lead in the fifth on an Aaron Gates solo home run.

But the Freedom rallied for four runs in the seventh. Sam Eberle walked to start the frame. Kelly followed with a single and Solberg was hit by a pitch to load the bases. That was it for Southern Illinois starter Michael Carden.

James Bierlein entered the game and surrendered a single to Joyce that tied the game at two. Pinch hitter Zak Blair followed with a RBI single to put Florence up 3-2 and Chance Ross delivered a two-out, two-RBI single. The clutch hit extended the Freedom lead to 5-2.

Dave Middendorf went five and two thirds innings of solid baseball for the Freedom, scattering six hits and only allowing two runs. Ed Kohout and Pete Levitt both pitched well out of the bullpen as well.

But then the ninth inning came and everything fell apart as the Freedom were swept for the third time in 2014.

Florence will look to snap their five-game losing streak Wednesday night as the Gateway Grizzlies come to town. First pitch at UC Health Stadium is set for 6:35 p.m. Peter Gehle (3-4, 3.89 ERA) is on the hill for the Freedom.

To keep up with all the latest Florence Freedom news and to learn about exclusive deals and contests, make sure to like the team on Facebook and follow the team on Twitter.

The Florence Freedom are members of the Frontier League of Professional Baseball. The Frontier League is the oldest continuously operating independent professional league, entering its 22nd season in 2014. For more information about the Frontier League visit www.frontierleague.com.

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