Multiple missed opportunities at the plate squandered a resilient pitching performance as the Florence Freedom, presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions, fell to the River City Rascals, 2-1, on Tuesday night at CarShield Field.
After retiring the first four batters he faced, Freedom (57-35) starter Tony Vocca (9-6) walked Jason Merjano with one out and Paul Kronenfeld with two out in the bottom of the second inning. With Braxton Martinez at the plate next, Merjano broke for third as Martinez connected for a RBI-single to center field to give the Rascals (48-44) an early lead. After Vocca walked Clint Freeman to load the bases, he hit Brandon Thomas with a pitch to force in a run before retiring the side with a strikeout.
Although Vocca yielded a season-high five walks, the right-hander allowed only two hits through five and two-thirds innings, striking out five batters and not allowing a runner to advance safely past first base during the rest of his outing.
Meanwhile, Lucas Laster (2-2) stymied Florence for six and one-third innings, allowing just four hits. The Freedom’s lone run of the game came in the seventh, as Andrew Godbold hit a one-out single and Austin Wobrock followed with a walk. Nick Kennedy then entered in relief and faced pinch-hitter Mike Morris, who beat out an infield single to load the bases. Garrett Vail hit a grounder to shortstop Johnny Morales, who was able to throw to second for just one out, allowing Godbold to score on the play. But Vail was later caught attempting to steal second, leaving the tying run stranded at third.
In the eighth, the Freedom faced three different River City relievers. Daniel Fraga led off with a single and Taylor Oldham followed with a walk, but the next two batters struck out, and despite a successful double steal with Andre Mercurio at the plate, both men were left stranded as Jordan Brower popped out to end the inning.
Florence also put the tying and go-ahead runs on base in the ninth against closer Cody Mincey, as the right-hander hit both Andrew Godbold and Austin Wobrock with pitches. But Morris lined into a double play that erased Godbold at second, and Vail struck out to end the game.
Jack Fowler and Mike Anthony combined for two and one-third innings of scoreless relief, but the Freedom offense never came through, stranding a total of eight baserunners, four of which were in scoring position.
The two teams wrap up the series Wednesday with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m. at CarShield Field. Jordan Kraus (9-5) is scheduled to start for the Freedom against the Rascals’ Dan Ludwig (6-3).
The Florence Freedom are members of the independent Frontier League and play all home games at UC Health Stadium located at 7950 Freedom Way in Florence, KY. The Freedom can be found online at FlorenceFreedom.com, or by phone at 859-594-4487.