After sealing a series victory over the Gateway Grizzlies in the middle-game, the Florence Freedom, presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions, dropped the finale, 3-0, in whacky fashion at GCS Credit Union Ballpark on Sunday night.
Scoring all three runs on four first inning hits, the Grizzlies (22-32) jumped ahead in their first at-bat off Freedom (37-18) starter, Tyler Gibson (7-2). Dustin Woodcock levied the big-blow, following a pair of Gateway singles with a three-run blast to right as the home team took a, 3-0, edge.
Gibson would allow just one more base-runner all night and no more hits, on his way to a tough-luck loss.
The Florence ace spanned 7.1 strong innings allowing the three earned runs on four hits while amassing a new career high nine strikeouts and one walk. The quality start was the eighth of the year for Gibson in 11 starts.
Grizzlies starter, Chris Carden (5-1) proved tough over 7 two-hit innings, only Ryan Rinsky and Ricky Ramirez Jr. earning hits off the Gateway ace. Rinsky broke the right-hander’s no-hit bid in the fifth, lacing a double down the line in left.
Carden got the win after posting a final line of seven shut-out innings with two hits, two walks and a pair of strikeouts. Geoff Bramblett toed the rubber in the ninth, facing the minimum on his way to slamming the door on the first Grizzlies win over Florence in ten tries this season.
Florence will get back on the diamond in Avon, Ohio Tuesday, when they square off with the top team in the East Division, the Lake Erie Crushers at Sprenger Stadium.
First pitch will be at 7:05 p.m. ET.
The Grizzlies will load their charter bus on Tuesday when they head to Rent One Park in Marion, Ill for a mid-week three-game set with the Miners of Southern Illinois. The two West Division rivals will have a 6:35 first pitch on Tuesday night.
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
