Y'alls' Offense Stifled in Series-Opening Defeat
August 18, 2023 - Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release
FLORENCE, KY - The Florence Y'alls (34-48), presented by Towne Properties, fell behind early and never led in a 5-2 series-opening defeat to the Joliet Slammers (38-44) at Duly Health and Care Field on Friday night.
The Slammers got off to a quick start offensively in front of their home crowd. Facing Y'alls starter Edgar Martinez (5.0 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 5 K), Joliet jumped ahead with a two-run first inning. A trio of walks loaded the bases with two outs before first baseman Phil Steering singled home catcher Tommy Stevenson and left fielder Liam McArthur. After one inning, Joliet led 2-0. In the third, the Slammers plated another run when Stevenson hit a solo home run - his second long ball in just his 10th at-bat in a Joliet uniform.
Trailing 3-0, the Y'alls mounted their first offensive push of the evening in the fourth inning. Against Joliet starter Turner Larkins (6.0 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K), the Y'alls plated a duo of runs. After a hit-by-pitch with one out and a double from catcher Nick Wimmers, shortstop Ed Johnson came to the plate with runners at second and third and grounded out to score second baseman Jeremiah Burks from third base. With a runner at third and two outs, left fielder Lane Hoover followed up with an RBI single to bring the Y'alls to within a run. After three and a half innings, Florence trailed 3-2.
The Y'alls would never come closer as Joliet continued to mount offensive pressure. The Slammers immediately answered in the bottom of the fourth when center fielder G.J. Hill tripled to right with one out. Second baseman Matt McGarry followed up with a sacrifice fly to score Hill and extend the Joliet lead back to 4-2. In the fifth, the Slammers scored their last run of the day when designated hitter Zach Biermann doubled to score Liam McArthur from first base.
Trailing 5-2, the Y'alls would not score again against a tandem of Joliet relievers. Former Y'all Evy Ruibal and lefthander Tyler Jay combined to toss three innings of scoreless relief en route to a 5-2 win. With the victory, the season series between the Y'alls and Slammers is now tied 2-2.
Game 2 between Florence and Joliet is scheduled for Saturday, August 19th from Duly Health and Care Field at 6:05 p.m. CT.
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