Freedom fall to Slammers in opener of three-game weekend series at UC Health Stadium – User-generated content (press release) (registration)

The Joliet Slammers scored in four of the first five innings Friday night, as the Florence Freedom, presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions, dropped the opener of a three-game set at UC Health Stadium by a final score of 6-4.

The Slammers (13-18) led 1-0 entering the bottom of the first, after Juan Silva followed an Edwin Gomez double with a one-out single off Freedom (21-10) starter Jordan Kraus (5-2).The Freedom would answer in the bottom of the frame, however, when Daniel Fraga led off with a single against Slammers starter Skylar Janisse (2-0) before being balked to second to set up an Andre Mercurio RBI-single.

Tacking on two more runs in the top of the second, a Travis Bolin single followed by a Chaz Meadows ground rule double paved the way for a productive out as Steven Pollakov plated Bolin with a ground out to second. Josh Merrigan followed suit with a two out double to score Meadows pulling ahead 3-1.

Back and forth early, the Freedom answered in the home half of the third when Janisse surrendered back-to-back solo home runs by Jose Brizuela and Mercurio.

Answering the bell at every turn, the Slammers scattered three more runs over the next three innings, handing Kraus a season-high of six runs allowed (five earned) on the evening, halting the right-handers season-long string of quality starts.

Evan Bickett and Patrick McGrath both tossed scoreless frames in relief, but the Freedom, who compiled 10 hits off Janisse, only accounted for two hits and one run off three Slammers relievers. Joseph Ortiz and Jordan Wellender combined for two and a third innings of spotless relief before closer Confesor Lara allowed a Mercurio RBI-single in the ninth. Florence, however, would leave the tying run stranded on base, when Jordan Brower struck out to end the game.

Mercurio enjoyed a 3-for-5 night at the plate, driving in three of the Freedoms four runs and extending his hitting streak to 10 games, matching the longest by a Florence player this season.

The series continues Saturday, with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 p.m. at UC Health Stadium. Left-hander Zach Wendorf (0-1) is scheduled to pitch for the Freedom against Joliet right-hander Shane Bryant (1-3).

The Florence Freedom are members of the independent Frontier League and play all home games at UC Health Stadium located at 7950 Freedom Way in Florence, KY.The Freedom can be found online at FlorenceFreedom.com, or by phone at 859-594-4487.

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Freedom fall to Slammers in opener of three-game weekend series at UC Health Stadium - User-generated content (press release) (registration)