The Florence Freedom, presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions, lost two leads in an eventual 6-5 defeat in game one of Thursday’s doubleheader but rebounded to win the nightcap, 4-1, against the Traverse City Beach Bums at UC Health Stadium.
After the Freedom (9-3) took a one-run lead in the first, the Beach Bums (6-6) rallied to take a 3-1 advantage in the third against Tony Vocca.
Jeff DeBlieux tied the game with a solo home run to right field, and after a Steve Patterson single and a Will Kengor double, a wild pitch plated Patterson as the go-ahead run prior to an Alexis Rivera RBI-single.
Florence retook the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Jordan Brower reached on a throwing error and scored on a Mike Morris double. After an infield single and an intentional walk loaded the bases, Jose Brizuela cleared the bases with a triple off the right-field wall off Augie Gallardo.
In the top of the sixth, however, Patterson knocked Vocca (2-1) from the game with a go-ahead three-run homer to right field, giving Traverse City a permanent lead. Devin Over (1-0) received the win in relief, while Jacob Lanning earned the save with a perfect seventh inning.
In the second game, Cody Gray (3-0), fresh off of being named Frontier League Pitcher of the Week, turned in a complete-game, three-hit effort and struck out a season-best seven batters. The win snapped a three-game losing streak and helped the Freedom avoid the series sweep. The only run for Traverse City came on a sixth-inning solo home run by Patterson.
Florence rallied for all the runs it would need in the first inning against Reinaldo Lopez (0-1). With runners on first and second, Brizuela blooped a single to center field. Arby Fields misplayed the ball, allowing Fraga to score. Andre Mercurio followed with a RBI-infield single and Collins Cuthrell plated Brizuela with a sacrifice fly.
The Freedom would add one more run in the third, as Beach Bums catcher Nick Murphy’s throw to second was too late to catch a stealing Jordan Brower, and Mercurio ran home from third on the throw.
The Freedom will travel to Washington, Pennsylvania, for a weekend three-game series against the Washington Wild Things. Right-hander Logan Longwith (1-0) is scheduled to start against Washington’s Jordan Schwartz (0-1).
Group tickets and season ticket plans are currently on sale for the 2017 campaign. Fans can guarantee seating for premium promotional dates by calling the Freedom at 859-594-4487.
Florence Freedom