Casey Henn delivered his best performance of 2015 and the Freedom took an early lead, but eventually the Lake Erie Crushers emerged victorious on Tuesday.
The Florence Freedom (10-18) left eight men on base and had three more runners gunned down on the bases in the 2-1 loss.
In the top of the first Mason Salazar and Sam Eberle drew back-to-back walks. One out later Collins Cuthrell doubled home Salazar. But on the play Eberle was caught between third and home for out number two of the inning. The Freedom left Cuthrell stranded in the frame but emerged with a 1-0 lead.
Florence had a chance to extend the lead in the second, putting runners at second and third with one out. But they failed to score.
Henn’s only tough inning was the bottom of the second as the Crushers tallied two runs on five hits in the frame. Ty Nelson’s two-RBI single put Lake Erie up 2-1.
Florence put at least one runner on base every inning except the ninth. The fifth and the seventh innings ended on strike him out, throw him out, double plays. Meanwhile the sixth inning saw Gaby Juarbe reach third with nobody out, but he was stranded there.
Henn’s final line was eight innings, seven hits (only two hits outside the second inning), two runs, both earned, one walk and seven strike outs.
Florence looks to even the series at Lake Erie Wednesday night as Tony Vocca (1-0, 2.35 ERA) makes his first start of the season. First pitch is set or 7:05 p.m. Fans can tune in at http://mixlr.com/florencefreedom/.
From Freedom Communications