Spectacular Defense Helps Freedom Hold on
Published on August 12, 2016 under Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release
Spectacular Defense Helps Freedom Hold on against Gateway
(Florence Y'alls)
Florence, Ky. - The Florence Freedom, presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions, put up three runs in the first inning and held on with the help of sparkling defense for a 6-5 series-opening win over the Gateway Grizzlies.
Three times tonight, the Freedom (34-42) ended and inning with a spectacular defensive play. With the tying run on third in the eighth inning, Daniel Fraga laid out to rob Logan Davis of a game-tying hit, keeping Florence ahead 6-5. In the seventh, Travis Weaver leapt high into the air to snag a line drive and take a potential RBI away from Brandon Thomas. Earlier in the ballgame, Josh Henderson dove into the left-center field gap to make an inning-ending catch.
For the third time in four games, the Freedom jumped out in front with a big first inning. Taylor Oldham returned to the lineup and promptly singled through the left side. Andrew Godbold followed with a base hit and Austin Newell reached on an error to load the bases. Collins Cuthrell scored Oldham on a single to left, but Godbold was thrown out at the plate. On his way trying to score he ran into the catcher and the benches cleared, but no punches were thrown. After a lengthy delay, Henderson drove in two with his single to left.
The lead dwindled to one after Gateway's two-run second and Zach Lavy tied the score at three with a home run to right in the fourth.
The Freedom bounced back in the bottom half of the fourth as Isaac Wenrich launched his second home run in as many games. After a walk and a single, Godbold extended the Freedom lead to 5-3 by bringing home Fraga on a sacrifice fly to center. The Freedom chased Gateway starter Vince Molesky from the ballgame after just a season-low 3 2/3 innings. He allowed five runs (three earned) on eight hits and three walks.
The Grizzlies plated another run on a Brandon Thomas sacrifice fly in the fifth, but the Freedom led by two again after a Newell seventh-inning, opposite-field long ball to left.
A long home run from Ben Waldrip plated another run for Gateway in the eighth, but, with the tying run on third, Fraga made an outstanding diving catch to keep the lead in tact.
Ethan Gibbons walked the leadoff man in the ninth, but was able to convert his ninth save of the year.
Florence starter Jordan Kraus finished seven innings, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks. Oldham and Henderson both had a pair of hits, while Newell and Wenrich left the ballpark. Freedom pitching stranded five Gateway runners in scoring position.
Lavy had two hits and drove one of Gateway's two home runs.
The Freedom continue their home stand with game two against the Grizzlies tomorrow. The 6:05 p.m. start will feature Florence's Patrick McGrath (2-5, 7.60 ERA) and Gateway's Jon Jones (3-2, 3.02 ERA). For more information on the upcoming promotions, click here.
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 12-team professional Independent Frontier League and play a 96 game schedule, with 48 home games at UC Health Stadium, located at 7950 Freedom Way in Florence, Kentucky. In 2015, the Frontier League recognized the Freedom as the league's organization of the year and awarded the team with the league's All-Star event. The 2016 season will mark the 13th year the Freedom have played in Florence.
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 Spectacular Defense Helps Freedom Hold on against Gateway |
Frontier League Stories from August 12, 2016
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- Spectacular Defense Helps Freedom Hold on - Florence Y'alls
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