The Florence Freedom fought back from an early deficit for the second consecutive night and held on to defeat the Southern Illinois Miners 5-4.
Once again the Freedom (39-47) found themselves in an early hole through three innings, but they responded, tying the game in the fifth and taking the lead in the seventh. Freedom pitching did not allow a hit after the third inning today and stranded the tying and winning runs in scoring position in the ninth.
Taylor Oldham put the Freedom on the board with his 13th home run of the season, a solo shot in the first.
Kraus pitched into the ninth, allowing four runs on six hits with five walks and five strikeouts (Freedom Photo)
The Miners (57-29) scored the next four runs to take a 4-1 lead through three innings. Florence pitching settled down from there, holding the Miners hitless in the final six frames.
The Freedom rallied to tie the score in the fifth, plating three runs on five hits. With two on, Andrew Godbold laced a two-RBI triple to right-center field, pulling the Freedom within one. The next batter, Austin Newell, drove Godbold home on a groundout to second, tying the score at four.
The Freedom took the lead in the seventh with a pair of two-out hits. With nobody on, Newell singled up the middle and then stole second to put himself in scoring position. Cuthrell laced a ball to center, scoring Newell and giving the Freedom their first lead at 5-4.
With the score still 5-4 heading to the bottom of the ninth, Kraus issued a pair of walks to leadoff the inning, putting the tying and winning runs on base. The Freedom called Pete Levitt out of the bullpen and he forced a deep flyout, but both runners moved into scoring position. With only one away, Brualio Torres-Perez came in to face two lefties. He forced Riley Moore and Aaron Gates to groundout, ending the ballgame and giving Florence the win.
The Freedom had 16 hits in the ballgame spread out between the nine starters. Andre Mercurio went 3-for-3, while Oldham scored two runs and Godbold drove in two. Newell and Cuthrell both delivered key two-out hits in the seventh to give Florence the lead. In total, the Freedom have scored 11 runs on 31 hits in the series.
Kraus pitched into the ninth, allowing four runs on six hits with five walks and five strikeouts. From the fourth through ninth innings, he allowed just three base runners on walks. Levitt recorded one of the three outs in the final frame, while Torres-Perez earned his first professional save.
Alex De Leon and Nolan Earley both recorded multi-hit games for Southern Illinois, while Brooks Trujillo became the second Miners starter in the series to allow double-digit hits (10).
The Freedom go for a series win in a 7:05 p.m. rubber match with the Miners Thursday. Florence will send Cody Gray (7-3, 3.08 ERA) to the hill against Southern Illinois’ Dyllon Nuernberg (6-5, 4.07 ERA).
Superhero Night kicks off can’t-miss week at UC Health Stadium
This weekend marks the beginning of the final home stand for the Florence Freedom and it kicks off with Superhero Night on Friday.
The Freedom will take on the Gateway Grizzlies this Friday through Sunday as the team continues its battle for the final Frontier League playoff berth.
Friday, August 26: Game at 7:05 p.m., gates open at 6:05 p.m.
A fan-favorite promotion, Superhero Night presented by Biomed Specialty Pharmacy, will be held Friday as the Freedom take on the Grizzlies. The Freedom will wear Superman-inspired jerseys against the Grizzlies’ Batman-themed uniforms. It will be a battle of Batman vs. Superman on the field to settle the score once and for all.
Throughout the night, fans will have the opportunity to interact with Superhero characters on the concourse. The first 500 kids through the gates will receive a Superhero poster. After the game, Elite Pyrotechnics will light up the sky with an incredible fireworks show presented by Arlinghaus Heating and Air.
When fans leave the stadium Friday night, they are encouraged to continue the fun over at Dave & Busters in Florence where multiple Freedom players will be playing games and hanging out.
Saturday, August 27: Game at 6:05 p.m., gates open at 4:35 p.m.
Saturday, the focus shifts to the over-21 crowd as the Freedom host its first ever Fall Beer Fest. Currently, over 50 craft beers will be available for sampling, including over 20 pumpkin and Oktoberfest varieties. Click here for a complete beer listing.
After the game Saturday, fans can enjoy a live concert by Last Call, while kids will be able to play kickball on the field.
Sunday, August 28: Game at 6:05 p.m., gates open at 5:05 p.m.
Sunday, the Freedom wrap up their weekend series with Bark in the Park: Anchorman Edition. Fans are encouraged to come to the ballpark with their dog and enjoy all kinds of activities, including dog races, a trick contest and a dress-up contest.
Fans can also enjoy some of their favorite Anchorman activities, including a cologne/perfume sampling station, a wheel of cheese sampling table, and a lamp donation center for Goodwill (fans can receive a discount on their tickets with a lamp donation). So bring your Baxter look-a-like, or any other K9 for that matter and stay classy Florence.
After the Freedom’s Sunday matchup with Gateway, kids can run the bases and the Freedom players will sign autographs.
From Freedom Communications
