The River City Rascals one-upped their 18-run performance from their previous day’s contest by scoring 19 runs and knocking around 23 hits Wednesday in a 19-4 thrashing of the Florence Freedom.
In the series, River City (14-8) of O’Fallon, MO. has now scored 37 runs on 37 hits. Alexi Colon was the big bat for the Rascals totaling two doubles, two home runs, four runs and eight runs batted in.
The Freedom (7-15) found the scoreboard first in the opening frame. Travis Weaver led off the game with a walk. On a perfectly executed hit-and-run play, Austin Newell singled through the right side, moving Weaver to third. Weaver then scored on a double steal when Newell was safe at second and the return throw came just late to the plate.
The first five Rascals to bat in the bottom of the first inning came around to score to put the home team up 5-1. Florence quickly answered with a pair in the top of the second. Isaac Wenrich singled and then Andrew Godbold one-hopped a ball over the right-center field fence for a double. Brett Balkan came to the plate and hit a single to left. Wenrich scored from third on the play and Godbold came around when the left fielder misplayed the ball.
Florence pulled within one in the fourth, manufacturing a run without a hit. Wenrich walked, Godbold reached on an error, and both moved into scoring position when Vail laid down a sacrifice bunt. Balkan once again drove in Wenrich, this time on a ground ball to the right side.
The Rascals posted their big inning in the fourth, totaling nine runs on nine hits and sending 12 to the plate. Colon capped off the inning with a three-run home run to right-center after doubling earlier in the frame.
River City added two more in the sixth and Colon’s second three-run bomb finished the scoring in the eighth.
Isaac Wenrich continued his hot hitting, scoring two runs in a 2-for-3 outing. Balkan recorded his first hit with the Freedom and had two RBIs, joining eight different Florence players who posted one hit.
McGrath took the loss, allowing 13 runs and 14 hits in 3 2/3 innings. Tony Vocca and Ethan Gibbons both allowed a home run to Colon, while Pete Levitt and Stetson Nelson recorded scoreless innings out of the Freedom bullpen.
Reese Gregory’s 5 2/3 innings out of the bullpen (one unearned run) earned him the victory after the starter Jason Zeigler was pulled after just 1 1/3 innings. All nine Rascals had at least one hit and all nine scored at least one run.
The Freedom wrap up their three-game set with the Rascals Thursday. Zach Isler (2-1, 3.91 ERA) will face off against Josh Wright (1-0, 3.06 ERA), who spent time with the Freedom in spring training. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. CT.
From Freedom Communications