Four Schaumburg Boomers home runs proved to be the difference as the Florence Freedom, presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions, lost the deciding game of the Frontier League Championship Series, 6-2, Sunday at UC Health Stadium.
Despite boasting electric stuff early, Freedom (4-4) starter Cody Gray (1-1) gave up a solo home run to Boomers (6-2) center fielder Sean Godfrey in the top of the second, as Schaumburg jumped out to a 1-0 lead.
Florence answered in the bottom of the third when back-to-back walks to Garrett Vail and Daniel Fraga paved the way to a Taylor Oldham RBI-single that evened the score at 1.
However, the Boomers would create the separation they needed in the top of the fourth, when Rock Shoulders and Godfrey launched consecutive solo homers, the latter hitting his second of the day. Gray then walked James Keller, who came around to score from second on a Kyle Ruchim ground-rule double as Schaumburg enjoyed a 4-1 lead after four innings. Gray would not return to the mound in the fifth, exiting the ballgame after four complete, having allowed four runs on seven hits while striking out six in the loss.
Tony Vocca would replace Gray on the hill and after collecting a pair of strikeouts in a scoreless fifth inning, ran in to trouble in the sixth. After inducing Keller in to a ground out to first, Vocca gave up another Schaumburg solo shot, this one to Jack Parenty, as the Boomers extended their lead. Jack Fowler entered the game after Vocca issued a walk to Ruchim, but only faced John Holland who singled. Mike Anthony then entered the game and surrendered a sacrifice fly to Zack Weigel before slamming the door over the next 2.2 innings, his longest relief appearance of the season.
With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Andrew Godbold ripped a ground rule double off Michael Wood (1-0) setting up a Jordan Brower RBI-single that produced the eventual final score, 6-2.
Florence left the bases loaded without scoring a run in the eighth inning, and also left a man stranded at third in the ninth, as Jake Joyce pitched a scoreless frame to seal the Frontier League title for the Boomers.
The Freedom would like to thank all who helped make the 2017 season a success on and off the field, and look forward to a strong and competitive 2018 campaign.
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.
