The Florence Freedom dropped game one against the Southern Illinois Miners 12-4 Tuesday.
The Miners (31-14) banged around 15 hits, while the Freedom recorded 11 hits and a season-high five errors.
After the teams traded runs in the fourth inning, Southern Illinois took a five-run lead with three in the fifth and two in the sixth.
The Freedom (16-29) showed some fight in the bottom of the sixth, plating three runs. Taylor Oldham led off the inning with a hit by pitch, while Austin Newell (walk) and Andrew Godbold (error) both reached to load the bases. Collins Cuthrell followed with a looping single to left field before another run came in to score on a 6-4-3 double play. Then, against his former team, Jordan Brower laced a single to right, bringing home another run and pulling the Freedom within two.
In the seventh, Florence was one out away from getting back into the dugout with the score still at 6-4, but a key two-out single from Aaron Gates brought home two for the Miners. Southern Illinois added four in the ninth on their way to a 12-4 win.
Cuthrell, Josh Henderson, and Brower all posted two hits and an RBI to lead Florence offensively, while Godbold scored a pair or runs. Jeremy Gooding took the loss, allowing five earned runs (seven total) in 5 1/3 innings (six strikeouts, six hits no walks). Pete Levitt tossed the only scoreless outing for the Freedom bullpen in 2/3 of an inning before Jeremy Hutchison, Zach Wendorf, and TJ Bozeman all threw for Florence.
Shane Kennedy finished with four hits and two RBIs, while Gates, Vin Gugletti, and Riley Moore (home run) also drive in two. Josh Kimborowicz improved to 7-0 in earning the win, while five Miners posted scoreless appearances out of the bullpen.
The Freedom look to bounce back in Wednesday’s doubleheader. Tony Vocca (0-1, 6.75 ERA) will be on the hill for Florence in game one, while Patrick McGrath (2-3, 6.75 ERA) takes the ball in game two. First pitch for game one of the twin bill is scheduled for 10:05 a.m.
From Freedom Communications