The Florence Freedom earned their first road series victory of the season with a 3-0 defeat of the Lake Erie Crushers in five innings Thursday night at All Pro Freight Stadium.
Jeremy Gooding (2-0) was the star of the show for the Freedom, tossing five shutout innings and only allowing one hit. He struck out five batters and did not walk anyone in the victory.
Florence broke through with three runs in the fifth against reliever Zac Treece (0-1). Steve Carrillo got things going with a single down the left field line. Travis Weaver bunted him over and Carrillo advanced to third on a wild pitch. After Sean Mahley reached on an infield single, Daniel Fraga singled home Carrillo on a perfect hit-and-run with Mahley advancing to third on the play. With two outs, Austin Newell doubled home Mahley and Fraga to extend the lead to 3-0.
That’s all Gooding and the elements needed as the rains came after the completion of the bottom of the fifth, making it an official game and a Freedom victory.
With the win the Freedom win their first road series of 2015 and win back-to-back games on the road for the first time this season as well. They return home Friday night to take on the Southern Illinois Miners with Chuck Weaver (2-1, 3.52 ERA) taking the hill for Florence. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. Get your tickets here for the first Princess Night of 2015.
Fans who can’t make the game can tune in at http://mixlr.com/florencefreedom/.
Griffey Sr. to throw first pitch Sunday
Baseball Across the Region, a celebration of All-Star Summer in Cincinnati, will make a stop on Sunday, June 21 at UC Health Stadium as the Florence Freedom and Ken Griffey Sr. helps celebrate Father’s Day at the ballpark.
The Freedom, Greater Cincinnati’s Minor League baseball team, will be taking on the Southern Illinois Miners that night and look forward to welcoming the BATR initiative.
Launched in February, the official baseball of BATR is traveling throughout the region highlighting the treasured neighborhoods, schools, businesses, and community attractions across Reds Country to generate excitement and enthusiasm for the 86th MLB All-Star Game on July 14th at Great American Ball Park.
It will find its way into Griffey Sr.’s hand when he throws out the first pitch on Father’s Day at the Freedom.
An on-field picture ceremony with BATR, Griffey Sr. and dads playing catch with their kids will take place shortly before first pitch scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
Events on Father’s Day kick-off with “Cincinnati’s Baseball Dad” at 4:05pm with a private meet ‘n greet for dads and their kids with Griffey Sr. Meet ‘n greet opportunities are available at FlorenceFreedom.com.
Then at 5:05pm, the gates open to the general public and dads and their kids will be welcomed to the field with an on-field catch session. Those participating are encouraged to take a “selfie” and use #BATR on Twitter and Facebook to share the experience and promote ‘Baseball Across the Region’.
The BATR ball Griffey Sr. will use for the first pitch will end its journey at the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame & Museum, becoming an official part of Reds baseball history.
The ceremony stems from the tradition of the passing of the Olympic Torch in anticipation of the Olympics.
From Freedom Communications