The Florence Freedom saw their 2-0 lead evaporate quickly as the Gateway Grizzlies scored nine runs in the fifth inning to take the lead for good in a 12-4 defeat for the Freedom Tuesday night at GCS Ballpark.
Florence grabbed a 2-0 lead against Gateway starter JaVaun West (2-0) in the top of the fifth. Michael Pair doubled to start the frame. One out later Daniel Fraga drew a walk. Austin Newell doubled home Pair and Jake Luce delivered a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0 in favor of the Freedom.
But the bottom of the fifth inning saw everything fall apart. Grant Buckner and Ben Waldrip started the inning with back-to-back singles off Casey Henn (1-2). Then Grant Nelson lay down a bunt; Henn slipped and fell coming off the mound when he tried to field the ball and everyone was safe on the error.
With the bases loaded and nobody out, Henn struck out the next batter but then gave up back-to-back RBI singles to Madison Beaird and Shawn Payne. Then with two away and the game tied at two, Blake Brown delivered a two-RBI single to put the Grizzlies up 4-2.
But they weren’t done. Richard Seigel drew a walk to re-load the bases. Then Buckner hit a routine fly to left field. Cody Bishop lost the ball in the lights and the ball fell in for a three-RBI double and it was 7-2 in favor of the Grizzlies. Waldrip followed with an opposite field two-run home run to complete the scoring.
Of the nine runs Henn allowed in the fifth, only two were earned.
Gateway added three more runs in the sixth, all of them coming with two outs. Freedom relievers walked four batters in the inning and hit two more. No hits were recorded in the frame.
Down 12-2, Florence tallied two runs in the ninth as Newell doubled home Zack Burling and Luce singled home Newell.
The Freedom will try to bounce back Wednesday with Frontier League Pitcher of the Week Chuck Weaver (2-0, 1.98 ERA) on the hill. First pitch is set for 8:05 p.m. eastern time. Fans can tune in at http://mixlr.com/florencefreedom/.
‘Biker Game Show Night’ set for Saturday
“Biker Game Show Night,” that’s what you get when a baseball game meets bikers meets a game show, all in one night at the Florence Freedom this Saturday night.
On Saturday, the Florence Freedom, will be hosting “Biker Game Show Night” presented by Thoroughbred Harley-Davidson, all while the team takes on the Normal CornBelters at 6:05pm.
What does a Biker Game Show look like?
Fans attending the game will have the opportunity to compete and play along with numerous games to win prizes from Harley-Davidson and other participating sponsors. The game show contests include:
– Roll for the Harley – If a fan rolls “H-A-R-L-E-Y” with all six dice in one roll, they will be going home with a new Harley Davidson.
– $10,000 Grand Slam – If a Freedom player at any time hits a grand slam during the game, one fan will win a grand prize of $10,000.
– In-Game Show – 27 contestants will complete for 27 different prizes from our sponsors.
How it works: 1 fan & 1 sponsor each represent 1 of the 27 home team outs. If the Freedom single, double, triple or homer before an out is made and you’re the contestant, you win a prize thanks to our sponsors. Prizes include values that vary in ranges of $10, $25, $100 and even $250 in goods and gift cards to our sponsors. The better the hit, the better the prize.
If the Freedom make an out before a hit is made, the “in-game show” moves on to the next contestant. Contestants will be selected that night between 5:05pm – 6:05pm. Contestants must be present to be eligible to be a contestant.
Fans wanting to be contestants in the “in-game show” must arrive to the stadium between 5:05pm & 6:05pm. Gates to the stadium open at 5:05 p.m.
If a baseball game and game show are not enough for fans, the band DV8 will be putting on a concert post-game as part of the 92.5 The Fox Rockin’ Saturday presented by Kerry Nissan and the Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy concert series.
Kids also get to play kickball on the field post-game during every Saturday night home game.
Fans are encouraged to show up on their bike and park in the 3rd Base VIP lot. Those showing up on bikes will be entered to win an autographed Johnny Bench full sized bat.
For tickets to Saturday night’s game, fans are encouraged to visit www.florencefreedom.com or call UC Health Stadium at 859-594-HITS (4487). The Freedom are members of the independent professional Frontier League and play all home games at UC Health Stadium, located at 7950 Freedom Way, Florence, KY, 41042.
From Freedom Communications