Florence Freedom got another dominating performance from Casey Henn and backed him up with an explosive offense in a 10-1 victory over the Rockford Aviators Wednesday night.
For Florence, it’s their fourth consecutive win, matching their longest winning streak of the season. The victory also secures their third consecutive road series win.
Florence only won two road series all of last year. The nine run margin of victory is their largest of the season on the road this year and the eight walks drawn by the offense matches the most they’ve drawn in one game this season.
Henn (3-6), who pitched a no-hitter in his last appearance, ran his scoreless innings streak to 19 and two thirds until the Aviators got an unearned run in the seventh. The Cincinnati native struck out eight and allowed only two hits over his seven innings of work.
Meanwhile the Freedom offense got going early with two runs in the second off Roberto Padilla (1-2). With two outs and nobody on, Ozzy Gonzalez singled. Travis Weaver followed with a single of his own. Then Steve Carrillo singled home Gonzalez. The throw to the plate got away and Weaver came all the way around to score from first on the play to make it 2-0 in favor of Florence.
They added on three in the fifth, chasing Padilla from the game. Justin Harris led off with a single and promptly stole second. Collins Cuthrell followed with a walk. Florence pulled off a double steal before Andrew Godbold drew a walk of his own. Sam Eberle walked to drive in Harris and that was it for Padilla.
New pitcher Eric Cendejas was greeted by a Cody Bishop two-RBI single to make it 5-0.
Florence tallied two more runs in the seventh as Eberle singled with one away. Bishop drew a walk and Gonzalez walked as well to load the bases. Weaver drove in Eberle with a sacrifice fly and Carrillo singled home his second run of the game to extend the Freedom lead to 7-0.
After Rockford got a RBI single from Will DuPont in the seventh, Florence tallied three more runs in the eighth. Harris got things going again with a lead-off walk. Cuthrell followed with a single and one out later Eberle walked. With two outs and the bases loaded, Ozzy Gonzalez cleared the bags with his first double of his professional career.
The 10-1 score held as Ryan Davis tossed two innings of shutout ball out of the bullpen to finish off Rockford.
The Freedom go for the sweep on Thursday as they send Jeremy Gooding (2-1, 3.60 ERA) to the mound. First pitch is set for 7:35 p.m. Fans can tune in at http://mixlr.com/florencefreedom/.
From Freedom Communications