The Florence Freedom tossed a two-hit shutout in a 3-0 victory over the Traverse City Beach Bums Thursday.
Cody Gray was again masterful for the Freedom (27-36), allowing just one hit, while striking out six in 6 2/3 innings. Pete Levitt, TJ Bozeman, and Ethan Gibbons all played key roles in the later innings as they preserved the shutout.
Andrew Godbold opened the scoring in the fourth by lining a solo shot to left for his team-leading ninth home run of the year. Godbold finished the game 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, and two RBIs.
Gray cruised until the seventh inning. After getting two quick outs, he walked the bases loaded. Pete Levitt came out of the bullpen and escaped the jam by forcing a lazy fly ball to Josh Henderson.
Florence rode the momentum to two more runs in the eighth. Isaac Wenrich walked and Shaun Cooper pinch ran for him. After Cooper stole second, Andre Mercurio laced an RBI triple into the right-center field gap, putting the Freedom ahead 2-0. With two outs, Godbold added to the Freedom lead with a single through the right side.
TJ Bozeman and Ethan Gibbons allowed just one hit in shutting the door for the Freedom.
Mercurio and Godbold sparked the Florence offense with five of the team’s seven hits and all three RBIs. Austin Newell and Collins Cuthrell also posted hits for Florence.
This was the Freedom’s third shutout of the season, two of which have come in Gray’s last three starts.
Michael Shreves took the loss for the Beach Bums (27-36), while Jeff DeBlieux and Ryan Bottger posted the team’s two hits.
The Freedom begin a nine-game home stand Friday with a matchup against the Washington Wild Things. Patrick McGrath (2-4, 8.10 ERA) is scheduled to start against Trevor Foss (8-3, 2.71 ERA) with first pitch at 7:05 p.m. For information on the upcoming promotions taking place at UC Health Stadium, click here.
From Freedom Communications