A nonprofit publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism

Freedom drop rain-soaked pitcher’s duel to Beach Bums; second loss in a row after starting season 8-0


As the skies opened up over UC Health Stadium, the Florence Freedom, presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions, dropped their second game in a row–this time to the Traverse City Beach Bums—by a final score of 2-0.

The game’s lone runs came on a two-run homer to right field  in the sixth inning by Traverse City’s Will Kengor, following a triple to left-center by Steven Patterson that narrowly evaded the diving reach of center fielder Andre Mercurio.

Beach Bums (5-5) lefty, John Havird (2-0) pounded the strike zone early and often en route to his second win of the year, fooling Freedom hitters into their lowest hit total of the season. Florence’s only hit came via an infield single by Freedom (8-2) outfielder Collins Cuthrell in the second inning after he legged out a chopper to third base and received the benefit of the doubt from the official scorer after a high throw pulled the first baseman Giancarlo Brugnoni off the bag. Havird’s final line featured 6 scoreless innings, one hit, four walks and five strikeouts.

Jacob Lanning tossed a perfect seventh inning to notch his fourth save.

Freedom hurler Jordan Kraus (2-1) tallied the tough-luck loss, despite dominating the Beach Bums lineup for the majority of the ballgame. The right-hander tallied 11 strikeouts, the highest total for a Freedom pitcher this season.

Andrew Godbold drew two walks but went 0-for-1 in the game, ending his hitting streak at nine games.

Although a doubleheader was originally scheduled for the evening, rain prevented teams from taking the field for a second game. Thursday will feature a doubleheader at UC Health Stadium, with the first game scheduled to begin at 5:05 p.m.

Group tickets and season ticket plans are currently on sale for the 2017 campaign. Fans can guarantee seating for premium promotional dates by calling the Freedom at 859-594-4487.


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