NKyTribune staff
Connor Oliver belted a two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning to snap a 3-all tie, and the Traverse City Beach Bums withstood a Florence Freedom rally in the bottom of the frame to pull out a 5-4 win Tuesday night.
Oliver’s second homer of the season gave Traverse City a 5-3 lead. Florence, however, responded in the bottom of the ninth inning with a double from Ricky Ramirez and a single by Keivan Berges to put runners on the corners with no outs.
Jacob Wark’s sacrifice fly plated Ramirez to make it a 5-4 game, but reliever John Michael Knighton retired the final two batters on fly balls to notch the save.
Jordan Brower was 3-for-4 to lead the Florence offense. Ramirez and Xavier Turner both added two hits for the Freedom.
The two teams play the second of their three-game series Wednesday morning at 10:35 a.m. at UC Health Stadium.
