On the heels of eight shut-out innings at the plate, the Florence Freedom, presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions, got off the mat scoring two runs in the ninth, and two more in the eleventh on the way to a thrilling, 4-3, victory over the Gateway Grizzlies in extra innings on Tuesday night at GCS Credit Union Ballpark.
After two masterful innings from Johnathon Tripp (2-1) in the ninth and tenth, the score was stalemated at 2 apiece in the top of the eleventh.
Connor Crane represented the international tie-breaking runner at second when Austin Wobrock came to the plate to face Geoff Bramblett (0-1). Wobrock would come through, the reigning Frontier League Player of the Week shooting a base-hit to center, scoring Crane as the Freedom (9-6) moved in front for the first time on the night, 3-2.
Gateway (8-8) attempted to gun the runner at the plate, allowing Wobrock to scoot to second as the visitors had another man in scoring position with nobody out. Taylor Bryant laid down a bunt to push the runner to third, and Wobrock scored moments later when a Cody Brickhouse passed ball made it’s way to the back-stop, making it a two-run game at, 4-2.
A pinch-hitting, Jamey Smart would pull the Grizzlies within one in the bottom half of the frame, tapping an RBI-single to center that scored Gateway internantional tie-breaking runner, Connor Owings. Brian McKenna would stop the scoring there however, striking out the side on his way to save number one of the season while putting a come from behind, 4-3, victory on ice for the Freedom.
It was the Grizzlies who started the scoring in game one, getting an RBI-single from Luke Lowery in the bottom of the third to jump ahead of the Freedom, 1-0. Lowery would plate another run in the sixth, launching his third homer of the season, a solo-shot, as the home team took the, 2-0, advantage.
Florence southpaw, Mike Castellani would allow just the two runs over 6.2 innings of work, netting his second consecutive quality start while setting a new season-high in strikeouts with four. The lefty effectively pitched around six hits and two walks en route to the no-decision.
Gateway starter, Lucas Lanphere was pulled after five shut-out innings, surrendering a pair of hits and three walks with four strikeouts of his own. The Grizzlies would use six pitchers on the night, getting a trio of shut-out innings from their first three relievers as the score remained, 2-0, with Florence coming to the plate in the ninth.
Looking to convert his fourth save of the season, Grant Black saw the game turn after recording two outs and a walk in the top of the ninth. Down to their final out, Jackson Pritchard surged the Freedom offense, roping a double down the line in left that set-up runners at second and third. Issac Benard would tie the game next, dropping a two-run single into the Bermuda triangle in left, the sinking ball caroming off the glove of Brent Sakurai as he slid feet first in an attempt to make the catch.
These two teams will meet in the middle-game of their mid-week set on Wednesday, Florence trotting out ace right-hander, Tyler Gibson (2-1) opposite southpaw, Jordan Barrett (1-1) of the Grizzlies. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. CST at GCS Credit Union Ballpark.
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.