The Florence Freedom scored early Thursday and rode a solid start from Cody Gray to a 7-1 victory over the Schaumburg Boomers.
In the series-clinching win, the Florence (30-39) offense scored early and often, plating seven runs in the first four innings in support of Gray. The Florence starter tossed seven innings and allowed only one run on six hits. In Gray’s last six starts, the Freedom are 6-0 and Gray has a minuscule 0.89 ERA.
Travis Weaver put the Freedom on the board in the second, delivering a two-out single that scored Collins Cuthrell.
Florence broke the game open with four more runs in the third inning. Taylor Oldham led off the frame with his ninth home run of the season, tying Andrew Godbold and Cuthrell for the team high. Godbold followed with a walk and Newell rolled a single through the right side. Cuthrell then lifted a sacrifice fly to center, putting the Freedom ahead 3-0.
The next batter, Shaun Cooper ripped a single to center that tipped off the glove of the centerfielder and went all the way to the wall. Cooper used his speed to circle the bases and extend the Freedom advantage to 5-0.
Two more runs scored in the fourth on RBIs from Oldham and Godbold and the Freedom cruised to the victory.
Gray earned the win, while Zach Wendorf and Tanner Kiest pitched two scoreless, hitless innings out of the Florence bullpen.
Seven of the nine Freedom players finished with a hit, while six scored at least one run. Oldham led the team with a pair of hits, runs scored, and RBIs. Cooper and Newell also posted multi-hit games.
Jordan Dean drove in the only run for Schaumburg on a sacrifice fly in the seventh. Kagen Hopkins allowed a season-high seven runs (six earned) in taking the loss.
The Freedom open up a three-game series against the Lake Erie Crushers with a 7:05 p.m. start tomorrow, Friday, August 5. The Freedom will send Tony Vocca (1-1, 4.05 ERA) to the hill against Juan Caballero (0-1, 4.79 ERA). For full details on the upcoming promotions, click here.
From Freedom Communications