Aided by the International Rule, the Windy City ThunderBolts took the series from the Florence Freedom by scoring in the top of the 12th inning on Sunday.
Tied 3-3 heading to the 12th, the ThunderBolts’ Johnny Eierman started the inning at second due to the International Rule. After a sacrifice bunt by Ransom LaLonde moved Eierman over to third, Kevin Barker drove in the winning run. Florence also started with a runner on second in the bottom half of the inning, but stranded Garrett Vail at third.
Eierman started the scoring for Windy City in the fourth inning after he belted a solo shot that just got over the wall in right-center field. LaLonde followed up Eierman with his second double of the season and would come around to score on a Taylor Smart single into left field. Kevin Barker rounded third as well, but a great relay from Josh Henderson and Travis Weaver to Stephen Sunday cut down Barker at the plate.
Windy City added on to their two-run lead in the top of the fifth inning when Larry Balkwill hit a home run to left field, putting the ThunderBolts ahead 3-0.
The Freedom were shut out through the first six innings, but finally were able to get the crucial hit to bring a few runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Collins Cuthrell led off the inning with a single against Jake Fisher. Andrew Godbold followed up Cuthrell with a double to left field, which pushed both runners into scoring position. Taylor Oldham pinch hit for Stephen Sunday and took the first pitch he saw from relief pitcher Brandon Boyle over the left field fence, tying the game at three.
The score stayed deadlocked at three until the 12th when Barker plated Eierman.
Andrew Lowe (1-0) was credited with the win while TJ Bozeman (0-1) was given the loss. Patrick McGrath tossed six innings of three-run ball, while the Freedom bullpen held strong again, not allowing an earned run in six innings. Oldham had the big hit of the game for the Freedom in his only at bat, while Andrew Godbold tallied three hits and a run.
The Freedom dropped their season-opener Friday by a count of 7-1 before coming back Saturday to take a 7-2 decision.
Florence is back in action on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. when it opens a three-game set at home against River City.
From Freedom Communications