A Jordan Brower home run built the early momentum necessary to fend off a number of threats from Traverse City as the Florence Freedom, presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions, won the opening game of the series against the Beach Bums, 4-3, at Wuerfel Park Tuesday night.
Brower’s home run, a line-drive shot over the right field wall, came at the end of an eight-pitch at-bat and followed a leadoff single by Andre Mercurio and a walk to Andrew Godbold, giving the Freedom (32-14) a 3-0 lead in the second inning.
Beach Bums (18-27) starter Augie Gallardo (3-4) would then retire the next seven Florence batters in a row, but would go on to allow a RBI-double to Taylor Oldham in the fifth.
Jordan Kraus (7-3) held Traverse City to three runs through his first seven innings, but ran into trouble in the eighth. With the Freedom leading, 4-3, Arby Fields worked Kraus for a one-out walk, and after a flyout, advanced to third on a single to right field by Josh Hauser.
With the tying and go-ahead runs on base, Patrick McGrath entered in relief and faced Jeff DeBlieux, who hit a soft line drive to right field. Collins Cuthrell made a diving catch to preserve the lead, and McGrath would pitch a perfect ninth inning to record his first save and give the Freedom the series-opening win.
The series continues Wednesday with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Wuerfel Park. Right-hander Cody Gray (7-1) will pitch for the Freedom against Traverse City left-hander John Havird (4-2).
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.
Florence Freedom
