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Freedom come up short against Miners, loss extends losing streak to four, shrinks division lead to one


In game one of a pivotal West Division collision, the Florence Freedom, presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions, made a late charge but ultimately fell short in a, 6-3 defeat to the Southern Illinois Miners on Tuesday night at Rent One Park.

After each team saw its starting pitcher retire the first six batters they faced, the Miners (45-34) took the first lead of the game, plating four runs off southpaw George Faue (2-2) in the bottom of the third inning.

Omar Obregon recorded the first of four RBI-knocks, shooting a single to left before Yeltsin Gudino did the same, giving the home team an early two-run lead.

Kyle Davis followed a RBI-single from Jamey Smart with a run-scoring double as the advantage doubled to, 4-0.

Only two of the runs were earned. A Freedom (48-33) throwing error in center field by Ricky Ramirez Jr. helping two runs cross plate in the frame.

The Miners added to the advantage in the fourth. Taylor Sparks led-off the inning with a home run to left, and Gudino added a second RBI-single to bump the score to 6-0.

Faue would step aside after six innings, allowing six runs, four earned, on eight hits with three walks and one whiff. The lefty suffered the loss, his second of the year.

Florence fought back to cut the deficit in half in its side of the eighth.

Isaac Benard following a pair of singles from Taylor Bryant and Brandon Pugh with a single and three-base error by Joe Duncan in center. Benard touched every base to bring the score to, 6-3, the eventual final.

Ryan Mordecai spanned two shut-out innings in relief of Faue for the Freedom, before Gabe Gentner came on for the Miners in search of his ninth save.

Gentner shut the door, facing the minimum en route to handing Florence their fourth straight loss.

The West Division rivals will meet in the series middle-game on Wednesday at Rent One Park. Righty, Zak Spivy (1-5, 2.74) will take the ball for the Freedom, opposite right-hander, Chase Cunningham (8-4, 3.58) for Southern Illinois with first pitch slated for 6:35 p.m. CDT.

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


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