Freedom come from Behind for Win, Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

August 18, 2012 - Frontier League (FL) Florence Freedom Florence, KY - The Florence Freedom(45-38) kept their playoff hopes alive with a come from behind 7-5 victory Saturday night over the Southern Illinois Miners (49-33). The Freedom trail the Gateway Grizzlies by 3.5 games for the final wild card spot with 13 games to go.

It was homerun derby early on at the Home of the Florence Freedom as Southern Illinois right fielder Chad Maddox hit a three run homerun in the 1st inning against Freedom starter Alec Lewis. After the Miners took a 3-0 lead in their first inning, the Freedom's Eddie Rodriguez deposited a line drive two-run homerun over the left field wall to make it 3-2. It was his 8th homerun of the season. The Freedom got another homerun in the 3rd. John Malloy led off the inning as he hit a solo shot down the right field line to tie the game at 3-3. Malloy leads the Freedom with 12 homeruns. The homerun derby continued for the Miners in the 5th. With one out and one on, Ken Gregory launched a two run homerun off Brent Choban to take a 5-3 lead.

The Freedom were resilient though and stormed back in the 5th. Malloy opened up the inning with a double. David Harris then walked. Junior Arrojo attempted a bunt, but popped out to third baseman Carlos Mendez on a diving catch. Peter Fatse then was hit by a pitch to load the bases. With the bases loaded and one out, Rodriguez was then plunked forcing home Malloy to cut the lead to 5-4. Kyle Bluestein popped out to shortstop Jake Kaase for the second out of the inning. Catcher Jim Jacquot then delivered the blow in the game with his bases loaded two out two run single back up the middle giving the Freedom a 6-5 lead. Stephen Cardullo then doubled to right field scoring Rodriguez to give the Freedom a 7-5 advantage.

The Miners threatened in the 9th against Freedom closer Jorge Marban. With runners on the corners with one out, Marban got Gregory to line out to left field and struck out Jason Ganek to end the game.

Jose Velazquez(6-0) earned the victory out of relief recording the final two outs in the 5th. Marban racked up his 9th save. Lewis went only 2 innings allowing 3 hits and 3 earned runs while allowing the three run homer to Maddox.

The Freedom will go for the series victory Sunday night against the Miners. Southern Illinois will start LHP Daniel Calhoun(6-3, 2.39) while the Freedom will go with RHP Brandon Mathes(3-0, 3.25) The game can be heard starting at 5:50 with Steve Jarnicki on Real Talk 1160 AM and realtalk1160.com.

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Freedom come from Behind for Win, Keep Playoff Hopes Alive