August 23, 2012 - Frontier League (FL) Florence Freedom Florence, KY-The Florence Freedom(49-38) led from start to finish as they completed a three game sweep of the Joliet Slammers(35-52) with a 5-2 win Thursday night. It was the Freedom's fifth win in a row as they now trail Windy City, Schaumburg and Lake Erie by just .5 game for the final wild card spot with 9 games to play.

Eddie Rodriguez gave the Freedom a 2-0 lead after he belted a two run homer over the left field wall in the 1st inning. It was his 13th of the season and his fifth straight game with a homerun. The Freedom extended their lead in the 2nd inning with two outs. Stephen Cardullo doubled down the right field line. Pierre LePage then reached on a fielding error by third baseman Kyle Zimmerman which allowed Cardullo to score to make it 3-0.

Brad Allen(2-1) who got the spot start for Florence was outstanding in his first professional start. He went 7 innings giving up 8 hits while striking out five in the victory. The only runs he allowed were in the 3rd. Brad Netzel recorded an RBI groundout and Abel Nieves lined an RBI single to left to make it 3-2. The Freedom responded to Joliet's scoring as they posted two runs in their 3rd. A bases loaded walk to Drew Rundle forced home Junior Arrojo to make it 4-2. Jim Jacquot then contributed a SAC Fly for the final run of the game scored by either side.

Besides Allen's strong pitching, he also also got superb defense behind him. In the 4th inning Josh Lyon doubled to right, as Andrew Brauer was attempting to score from first base on the play. Right fielder Peter Fatse threw to the second baseman LePage who threw to the catcher Jacquot who held onto the ball on a straight collision between him and Brauer. In the 7th, LePage made a nice leaping catch to take away a hit from Matt Mirabal and in the same inning center fielder John Malloy made an amazing running sliding catch in right center to take away an extra base hit from Brad Netzel.

Jorge Marban pitched a scoreless 9th, recording his 12th save of the year, and his second in as many nights to preserve the Freedom win.

The Freedom remain in Florence to continue their nine game homestand as they host the Washington Wild Things Friday night. RHP Justin Hall(5-7,4.55) will go for Washington as the Freedom will counter with RHP Brandon Mathes(3-0, 3.34). The game can be heard starting at 6:50 with Steve Jarnicki on Real Talk 1160 AM and realtalk1160.com.

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Freedom Win 5th Straight, Sweep Joliet