May 17, 2013 - Frontier League (FL) Florence Freedom After an Opening Night rout of the River City Rascals last night, the Florence Freedom bats went quiet in a 5-1 loss to the Rascals in game two of a three game series at University of Cincinnati Medical Center Stadium.

River City Starter Tommy Mendoza (W, 1-0) threw six innings of five-hit, one-run ball and got just enough production from his lineup to beat the Freedom and even the series at a game each.

River City wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as they put up two runs in the top of the first inning. Rascals left fielder Eric Williams led off the game with a walk followed up two batters later with another free pass to first baseman Jason Taylor. With DH Phil Wunderlich at the plate, the Rascals attempted a double steal. The throw from Freedom catcher Jimmy Jacquot went into centerfield allowing Williams to score. Wunderlich then grounded out to second base to score Taylor.

The Freedom cut the lead in half in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI single by DH Byron Wiley, scoring second baseman Eric Groff.

With one out in the top of the fourth, Rascals center fielder Evan Crawford doubled to left field, stole third and then scored on a sacrifice fly from second baseman Andy Scott to give the Rascals a 3-1 lead.

Freedom Starting Pitcher Justice French (L, 0-1) went 5 1/3 innings in his Florence debut, surrendering three runs, but only two earned.

River City would add another run in the seventh on a two-out throwing error by Freedom shortstop Junior Arrojo and would add one more in the top of the ninth on a wild pitch by Freedom reliever Jason Wilson. None of River City's five runs came on base hits.

The Freedom and Rascals meet again tomorrow night for the rubber match of this three-game season opening series. First pitch is 6:05 at UCMC Stadium, gates open at 5:05. Tickets are available at the UCMC Stadium box office or by phone at (859) 594-HITS.

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Freedom Bats Quieted in 5-1 Loss to River City