Wild Things Walk Off To Take Opener Over Freedom
Published on May 25, 2018 under Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release
WASHINGTON, Pa - With the Freedom (8-5) knotted up in a, 3-3, tie with Washington (7-6) in the bottom of the ninth, relief pitcher Tyler Gibson (1-1) surrendered back-to-back singles to James Harris and Carter McEachern before Mike Castellani entered the game and issued a walk to Roman Collins. With the bases loaded, the Freedom went to the bullpen again, opting to insert Johnathon Tripp into the game to face Kevin Pollack. Pollack then proceeded to lift a sacrifice fly to deep left field as Harris scampered home to put the Wild Things, 4-3, victory on ice. Zach Strecker (1-0) earned the win in relief after tossing a clean top half of the ninth that included one walk and one strikeout.
The Wild Things drew first blood in the bottom of the second as Mike Hill and Justin Bohn plated one run each with a single and double, respectively off Freedom starter Jordan Kraus to give Washington the early, 2-0, edge.
Washington southpaw and starting pitcher Frank Trimarco dazzled early, keeping Florence off the scoreboard for six straight innings before Xavier Turner sparked the Freedom offense with a seventh inning single. Trimarco would not face another batter, leaving the game after six strong innings. With Davis Adkins on in relief, Turner promptly stole second and took third base courtesy a wild throw from Pollack that sailed into centerfield. Moments later, Keivan Berges pulled Florence within one with an RBI-groundout to make the score, 2-1. Trimarco wound up with a final line that included four hits, no walks, four punch-outs and just one earned run over six frames.
The one run deficit would be short lived, however as the Wild Things answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the seventh. With Kraus still on the mound, McEachern followed a Harris triple with a sharp single to center as Washington took a, 3-1, lead into the top of the eighth. Despite tallying a fourth consecutive quality start, Kraus would swallow a no-decision, providing seven solid innings and scattering nine hits while allowing three earned runs and tallying three strikeouts.
Continuing to fight in the top of the eighth, Florence used a leadoff double by Brandon Pugh to setup a two run inning. Connor Crane brought the Freedom within one with an ensuing single and would advance to third base on back-to-back groundouts. Turner then tied the game at three by legging out an infield single to score Crane, but injured himself on the lunge to beat the throw and was forced to leave the ballgame.
The Freedom will look to even the series tomorrow in the middle game, trotting out right-hander Christian DeLeon opposite righty Danny Garmendia for the Wild Things. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m at Wild Things Park.
The Florence Freedom are members of the Independent Frontier League and play all home games at UC Health Stadium located at 7950 Freedom Way in Florence, KY. The Freedom can be found online at florencefreedom.com, or by phone at (859) 594-4487.
Frontier League Stories from May 25, 2018
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