The Florence Freedom fell behind early and couldn’t catch up in a 10-4 loss to the Gateway Grizzlies Thursday night.
It was another tough outing for Jake Stephens (0-2) as he gave up a three-run home run to Blake Brown in the first inning after two infield singles to start the frame.
Gateway proceeded to tack on five more runs in the second inning. A lead-off base-on-balls started the frame.
After a double put runners on second and third, Clayton Brandt singled home two runs to make it 5-0 in favor of Gateway. Another single put runners on first and second. Rolando Gomez singled to left and Cody Bishop missed the ball as it went all the way to the wall, allowing two runs to score and Gomez to advance to third.
He would score on a wild pitch to make it 8-0 in favor of the Grizzlies.
Florence cut the lead in half in the top of the third inning as Austin Newell and Bishop both launched two-run home runs to make the score 8-4.
But that’s as close as the Freedom would get as they failed to tally a hit after the fifth inning and Gateway finished with 14 hits on the night, the most the Freedom have surrendered in one game.
The Grizzlies got an insurance run in the third and fourth innings respectively to finish off the scoring. Every player in Gateway’s lineup finished with at least one hit.
Florence will look to bounce back from the tough road trip as they return home to UC Health Stadium Friday night to take on the Normal CornBelters. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
From Freedom Communications