May 16, 2013 - Frontier League (FL) Florence Freedom The Florence Freedom offense exploded for seven runs in the sixth inning to roll past the River City Rascals 12-6 on Opening Night at UC Medical Center Stadium.

The Rascals opened the scoring in the top of the first inning with a two-run triple by centerfielder Evan Crawford to take a 2-0 lead. The Freedom responded with two runs of their own in the bottom of the first on a two-run throwing error by River City second baseman Will Block.

The game stayed tied until the bottom of the fourth inning when Kyle Bluestein cranked a two-run home run off of River City starting pitcher Casey Barnes into the Rascals bullpen behind the left field wall to give the Freedom a 4-2 lead after four innings.

But the Rascals weren't finished scoring yet. Rascals catcher Andrew Edge led off the top of the sixth inning with a walk. Shortstop Bo Cuthbertson was hit by Freedom starter Brent Choban. It would be Choban's last batter as he gave way to Daniel DeSimone. DeSimone (W, 1-0) then gave up a two out double to Rascals DH Jason Taylor to tie the game at four.

From then on out it would be all Freedom. They sent 10 men to the plate in the bottom of the sixth. DH Byron Wiley, Kyle Bluestein, first baseman Bo Folkinga and second baseman Eric Groff all had RBI hits off of Rascals right-hander Cameron Bayne (L, (0-1), but the big blow came off the bat of left fielder David Harris, who hit a 2-run home run to put the Freedom up 11-4 after six innings.

The Freedom would tack on another run in the seventh with a solo home run off the bat of catcher Jimmy Jacquot. River City would score one run in the eighth and one more in the ninth, but the Freedom bullpen would hold the lead and close out a 12-6 win on Opening Night.

The Freedom and Rascals meet again tomorrow night for game two of three in this season opening series. First pitch is 6:35 at UC Medical Center Stadium. Tickets are available at the UC Medical Center Stadium box office or by phone at (859) 594-HITS.

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Freedom Offense Explodes in 12-6 Opening Night Win over River City