September 17, 2012 - Frontier League (FL) Florence Freedom Marion, IL-The Southern Illinois Miners won their first ever Frontier League Championship on a bases loaded walk in the twelfth inning to defeat the Florence Freedom Sunday night 4-3. The Miners won the best of five series three games to one.

The Miners jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning. Javier Herrera scored on a throwing error by second baseman Pierre Lepage and Chad Maddox hit a two run homerun.

The Freedom got on the board in the seventh. Jim Jacquot led off the inning with a walk. Stephen Cardullo then singled into centerfield. Alvaro Rameriz misplayed the ball which allowed both runners to score.

The Freedom then tied the game in the eighth. With the bases loaded Jacquot reached on a fielder's choice scoring Kyle Bluestein to tie the game at 3-3.

The game went into extra innings with neither offense scoring until the twelfth. Jorge Marban(1-1)took the loss as he walked the leadoff batter Maddox. Carlos Mendez then advanced him to second base on a sacrifice bunt. Sean Coughlin then drew a walk. After Cannon Lester struck out swinging, Will Block was intentially walked to load the bases by Brent Choban. With the bases loaded and two outs, Choban faced Jake Kaase. With the count 3-2, Choban walked Kaase to force home Maddox to give the Miners the game winning run.

Andy Clark started the game for the Freedom and went five innings allowing five hits on two earned runs and earned a no decision. Brandon Mathes then pitched six strong innings allowing three hits and striking out eight in his appearance out of the bullpen keeping the Freedom in the game.

Peter Fatse and Stephen Cardullo each had three hits to lead the Freedom in their final game of the season.

The 2012 team ended up winning 57 games which was the most in franchise history since the team moved to Florence in 2003. They also became the first team in franchise history to play in the postseason and in the Frontier League championship series.

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Freedom Run Ends with Ball Four in Extras