FL River City Rascals

Rascals Split Doubleheader against Florence

Published on August 11, 2016 under Frontier League (FL)
River City Rascals News Release


The River City Rascals and the Florence Freedom exchanged a pair of shutout victories in a double-header Wednesday night at CarShield Field. Florence (32-42) rode Jeremy Gooding's gem in game one for an 8-0 win and Rascals (35-38) southpaw Dan Ludwig nearly matched his line for a 1-0 shutout in game two. Game One:

After being outscored 61-19 in the first six games against the Rascals this year, the Florence Freedom came out with a chip on their shoulders and jumped on starter Zeb Sneed in their first opportunity.

Leadoff hitter Daniel Fraga doubled and then after Sneed's only strikeout of the night, the Freedom put together four consecutive quality at-bats to take a 4-0 lead. Andrew Godbold notched a RBI single, Austin Newell singled and they both would come in to score on a two RBI double from Collins Cuthrell. The score became 4-0 when Cuthrell crossed the plate via a sacrifice fly from Jordan Brower.

Sneed retired the side in order in the next frame but allowed two more runs in the third on two hits and a walk to trail 6-0.

On the mound for the Freedom was Jeremy Gooding and he was stellar holding the Rascals hitless through the first three frames.

The Rascals best opportunity came when they got their first hit in the fourth inning from Josh Silver. Kyle Gaedele followed that up with another hit but a double play and an inning ending ground out ended the threat. The Rascals only got three more hits the rest of the game, including a one out double from Clint Freeman in the final frame but failed to get on the scoreboard.

Jeremy Gooding picked up the win, his sixth of the year allowing no runs on five hits and struck out three.

Sneed was tagged with his sixth loss of the year giving up the six runs on six hits. Long reliever Josh Wright replaced Sneed to begin the fourth and he held the Freedom scoreless through his first three innings and then allowed a two RBI single to Jordan Brower in the top of the seventh to cap off the Freedom's 8-0 victory.

The win marked the Freedom's first win in seven tries against the Rascals this year.

Game Two:

After the Rascals failed to score a run in game one of the double header Wednesday night, Johnny Morales wasted no time in putting the Rascals on the board in game two with a solo home run in the first inning to put the Rascals up 1-0.

Morales's home run was followed by a single from Josh Silver but Freedom's spot starter Tony Vocca held him there and didn't allow a run the rest of his outing.

He was opposed by Rascals newcomer Dan Ludwig who came over via a trade last Friday with the Southern Illinois Miners.

Ludwig struggled with his command early on walking the first two batters but they were both retired by catcher Mike Jurgella on a pickoff and a caught stealing. One batter later, Ludwig allowed a double to Andrew Godbold before settling down and inducing a ground out for the final out of the inning.

Ludwig was unhittable after that as he retired 12 in a row with four strikeouts before allowing baserunners in the fifth inning. With two outs, Jordan Brower and Garret Vail singled but the shutout continued for Ludwig heading into the home half of the fifth inning.

River City failed to score in the fifth and Dan Ludwig faced one hitter in the sixth before being replaced by Nick Kennedy. Despite a single from Josh Henderson off Kennedy, the Freedom failed to score as the Rascals veteran retired Godbold and Jason Zgardowski came in to send designated hitter Austin Newell back to the dugout with a strikeout.

Offensively for the Rascals aside from Morales's home run in the first inning, the only other Rascals hits came in the bottom of the sixth with back-to-back infield hits. Kyle Gaedele's down the first base line and Josh Ludy reached with a hit deep in the six hole.

Both were left stranded as Freedom manager Dennis Pelfrey went to reliever Pete Levitt for the final out.

Following the out, the Rascals sent closer Zac Treece to the mound and he was great retiring the side in order on the way to his 17th save of the year.

Ludwig earned the win, his eighth of the year overall and first with the Rascals having allowed no runs on three hits in five 2/3 innings.

The double header split puts the Rascals at 8-10 in double headers and three games overall under .500 at 35-38 which keeps them in contention for the final wild card spot. River City is currently three games back with 23 to play.

The hunt for the playoffs continue Thursday night with the series finale against Florence. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 at CarShield Field with Tim Koons on the mound.

Check out the River City Rascals Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Frontier League Stories from August 11, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central