Florence used a three-run seventh inning to power past the Traverse City Beach Bums 5-3 on Thursday night.
Florence went into the seventh inning trailing 2-1 before Zack Burling’s first professional hit, an infield single, started the rally.
Burling stole second and moved to third on a Gaby Juarbe ground out. Sean Mahley walked to put runners at the corners and Travis Weaver laid down a bunt that Traverse City misplayed, allowing Burling to score and tie the game.
After Daniel Fraga struck out, Austin Newell delivered in the clutch for Florence. Newell singled to center and brought home Mahley to give the Freedom a 3-2 lead. Weaver then scored when a throw down to second sailed into center.
Seth Harvey (1-0) earned the win in his Freedom debut. Ed Kohout picked up his third save of the season, getting the final five outs of the contest.
Florence starter Alan Carey looked strong in his second professional start. The Staten Island, New York native fired five innings allowing only a single run.
With Traverse City holding a 1-0 lead, Florence tied the ballgame in the fifth. Weaver singled, stole second and moved to third on a passed ball. Daniel Fraga hit a line drive off the leg of Beach Bum pitcher Luis DeJesus, who scrambled to recover and his throw pulled Yazy Arbelo off the bag allowing Weaver to score and Florence to tie the game.
Fraga was originally called out but the umpires reversed the call. Traverse City manager Dan Rohn was ejected soon after as he protested the reversal.
The Beach Bums took a 2-1 lead in the seventh but the Freedom rallied in the bottom half of the frame.
Leading 3-2, Florence padded their lead in the bottom half of the eighth. Cody Bishop led off with a single and moved to third on a Sam Eberle single. Bishop then stole home as Eberle was thrown out at second on a double steal for Florence’s fifth run of the game.
A Reggie Lawson home run cut the lead to two in the ninth but Kohout was able to slam the door on the Beach Bums after that.
When Florence scores five or more runs in a contest the Freedom are undefeated at 6-0 on the young season.
The Freedom return to action against the Lake Erie Crushers on Friday evening for the start of a three-game series at UC Health Stadium. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
Fans who can’t make the games can listen live to all 96 Freedom games on http://mixlr.com/florencefreedom/.
From Freedom Communications