Vocca Shines as Freedom Split with the Wild Things
Published on July 30, 2016 under Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release
Florence, Ky. - After falling 7-4 in the continuation of yesterday's suspended game, the Florence Freedom, presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions, bounced back to defeat the Washington Wild Things 6-2 in game two.
Game One: Washington 7, Florence 4 - Box Score
The Freedom resumed their rain-shortened ballgame from Friday and fell to the Wild Things 7-4.
The game restarted in a big spot for Florence. Trailing 4-1 with the bases loaded, Saturday's first pitch went to the backstop and allowed Travis Weaver to trot home. Then, Andrew Godbold flied to right, bringing home Andre Mercurio and pulling the Freedom within one at 4-3.
Logan Uxa quickly added another run for Washington in the top of the sixth with a solo home run. The Wild Things added two more off of Davis Adkins in the seventh.
The Freedom rallied in the ninth for one run and three hits, but did not bring the tying run to the plate as Washington took the game 7-4.
Patrick McGrath ended up taking the loss for Florence, tossing 4 1/3 innings on Friday and allowing four runs. Uxa's home run was the only tally that crossed the plate against Zach Wendorf, while Adkins pitched the seventh and Tanner Kiest tossed two shutout innings.
Offensively, Mercurio, Mason Salazar, Josh Henderson, and Shaun Cooper all finished with two hits. Salazar plated a run, while Mercurio scored one and drove one in.
Zac Grotz took the win with 3 1/3 innings of one-hit baseball, including five strikeouts. Uxa propelled the offense with two hits and four RBIs.
Game Two: Florence 6, Washington 2 - Box Score
Tony Vocca and consistent offense led the Freedom in a 6-2 victory.
Vocca only allowed three base runners, while striking out four in his six innings of work. He faced the minimum in his first five innings before allowing his only run in the sixth. In support of Vocca, the Florence offense scored in five of their six trips to the plate.
The Freedom quickly loaded the bases in the first inning, but Washington starter Chase Cunningham forced a 1-2-3 double play that put the scoring chance in jeopardy. The next batter, Collins Cuthrell, bounced a routine ball to shortstop, but it went right past Austin Wobrock's glove and scored Taylor Oldham and Godbold.
Leading 2-0, the Freedom used a pair of two-out hits to extend their lead in the second. With Weaver on second, Oldham laid down his second bunt single of the ballgame. The next batter, Andrew Godbold laced a ball to left field, bringing home Weaver and putting the Freedom ahead 3-0.
In the third, Collins Cuthrell launched a solo shot to centerfield, tying the team high with nine home runs on the season. Josh Henderson then extended the lead to 5-0 with a sacrifice fly in the fourth.
The Wild Things finally scored against Vocca in the sixth. After a triple from Grant Fink, he came in to score on a ground out.
The Freedom answered right back in their half of the sixth. Godbold singled, stole second, and came around to score on a single from Cuthrell.
Washington threatened against Ethan Gibbons in the seventh and scored one run, but never brought the tying run to the plate in the inning.
Godbold led the offense with three hits, while Cuthrell drove in a team-high two. Oldham added two runs and two hits.
Cunningham took the loss for Washington, allowing four runs (two earned) on seven hits in two-plus innings. Chris Grayson was the only Wild Thing to post multiple hits in the ballgame.
The Freedom and the Wild Things finish their three-game set tomorrow, July 31 at 6:05 p.m. The rubber match will feature Florence's Jordan Kraus (4-6, 3,28 ERA) against Washington's Matt Fraudin (4-4, 2.68 ERA). For information on the upcoming promotions taking place at UC Health Stadium, 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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