The Florence Freedom scored two runs in the top of the 12th to win their third straight game, a dramatic 7-6 decision over the Rockford Aviators Tuesday night.
The game was a wild back-and-forth affair as Florence took an early 2-0 lead on a Collins Cuthrell two-run home run. Rockford got a run back in the third on a dropped third strike that allowed a runner to score from third.
With Chuck Weaver on the hill, Florence seemingly took a commanding lead in the fourth, tallying two runs. Gaby Juarbe delivered a RBI single and Daniel Fraga singled home a run as well. Juarbe finished the night with a career-high five hits, the most hits one Freedom player has recorded in a game this season.
Up 4-1, Weaver lost the lead in the fifth as Rockford plated three runs. Dusty Robinson’s bases clearing double tied the game at 4-4.
The game remained tied at four after that until the 11th inning. Both teams had numerous chances down the stretch. Rockford left 18 men on base and the Freedom left 12 of their own stranded.
Weaver went five and a third innings, allowing four runs, three earned on seven hits in the no-decision. Pete Levitt, Jason Postill and Seth Harvey combined to work their way out of numerous jams to finish up regulation and into extra innings. The Freedom pitching staff walked nine batters but they also struck out a season-high 14 hitters.
In the top of the 11th, international rules went into effect in the 4-4 tie. The Freedom started the top of the 11th with Travis Weaver at second base. Steve Carrillos’ grounder moved him to third and Fraga’s grounder drove him home to make it 5-4 in favor of Florence.
Ed Kohout (3-1) entered to try and record the save in the bottom of the 11th. With the Aviators placing Dusty Robinson at second, Devon Rodriguez singled him home to tie the game at five. Kohout walked Brian Bistagne to put runners at first and second with nobody out. Kohout struck out the next batter and got Tyler Smith to fly out to right. He walked the next batter to load the bases with two outs. He struck out Collin Shaw to end the inning and send the game to the 12th.
The Freedom placed Kyle Carter at second base to start the 12th. Collins Cuthrell struck out for the first out of the inning. Carter advanced to third on a wild pitch but he was thrown out trying to score on a grounder by Andrew Godbold. Godbold reached first but all of the sudden the Freedom were looking at two outs and a man at first base. Justin Harris pinch hit for Cody Bishop and singled to right.
Then Sam Eberle singled to right-center to score Godbold and put Florence up 6-5. Juarbe’s fifth hit of the game was a double down the left field line to provide an insurance run as Harris scored to make it 7-5.
The insurance run turned out to be huge.
Ethan Gibbons entered the game in the bottom of the 12th. Windy City placed Collin Shaw at second. Michael Hur struck out but reached on a passed ball on strike three, putting runners at first and second with nobody out. Jaron Shepherd singled home Shaw to make it 7-6 and Hur advanced to third on the play. Gibbons got a huge strike out of Robinson and got Rodriguez to hit into a 4-6-3 double play to end the game and earn his second save of the season.
Florence’s 17 hits on the night are the most for the team in one game this season.
The Freedom look to win their third straight road series on Wednesday as they send Casey Henn (2-6, 3.86 ERA), coming off his no-hitter, to the mound. First pitch is set for 7:35 p.m. Fans can tune in at http://mixlr.com/florencefreedom/.
From Freedom Communications