Freedom Rally for Another Victory over Southern Illinois

August 19, 2012 - Frontier League (FL) Florence Freedom Florence, KY-The Florence Freedom(46-38)defeated the Southern Illinois Miners(49-34) 6-3 Sunday night as they took two out of three against the Miners. The Freedom are now trailing Gateway by 2.5 games for the final wild card spot with 12 games to play.

The Miners scored first against Freedom starter Brandon Mathes who earned a no decision. In the 3rd inning, Cory Harrilchak lined a ground rule double down the right field line giving them a 1-0 lead. The Freedom tied the game in their 3rd. With two outs and two on, Peter Fatse found a hole through the right side of the infield singling home Pierre LePage to tie the game at 1-1. In the 4th, the Miners got back to back RBI doubles from Jason Ganek and Chris Anderson to claim a 3-1 advantage. The Freedom tied the game for the second time in the 6th. Junior Arrojo drew a walk and later scored on Eddie Rodriguez's two run homer to left field. Rodriguez homered for the second straight game giving him now nine on the season.

The Freedom put together a two out rally in the 7th to secure the lead for good. John Malloy got on base with a walk. David Harris then drove one to center field for an RBI double scoring Malloy to give the Freedom a 4-3 lead. Arrojo followed with an RBI single as did Fatse to put them ahead 6-3. Fatse finished the game going 3-4 with 2 RBI.

The Miners threatened against closer Jorge Marban in the 9th. They had two runners on, but Marban struck out Javier Herrera and got Chad Maddox to hit into a force out play at third base to end the game. It was Marban's 10th save of the season and his fifth in the last seven games.

Mathes went 6 innings allowing 7 hits and 3 runs with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts.

The Freedom will have Monday off before hosting the Joliet Slammers on Tuesday night. Joliet will feature RHP Steven Maxwell(6-8, 3.98) as the Freedom will counter with LHP Andres Caceres(7-3, 4.40). 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 Rally for Another Victory over Southern Illinois