The Florence Y’alls (21-30) hoped to break their losing streak in the final series before the All-Star Break.
But it did not happen as the New York Boulders (29-20) came to Thomas More Stadium and swept Florence, handing the Y’alls their 11th straight loss and leaving them tied with Windy City for last in the Frontier League West Division, just one game behind Joliet, Lake Erie and Washington. It marked the first time Florence had been swept at home all season.
“It is different, especially with fans coming to different games seeing a different type of vibe each night, seeing a different type of ballgame – a tight one, one that kind of gets away,” said Chad Rhoades, Florence Manager. “But in general, it’s being able to keep the same energy and the same approach.”
New York started the series with a 7-4 win Friday, outhitting Florence 10-9. Neither team scored any unearned runs, even though Florence made two errors.
Florence took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second before New York scored three in the top of the third. But Florence tied it 4-4 in the bottom of the inning when right fielder Ray Zuberer doubled home second baseman Harrison DiNicola and designated hitter Brennan Price before the Boulders scored three in the top of the fourth to make the final score.
Price went 2-for-3, and first baseman Craig Massey went 2-for-4 to lead Florence, and reliever Rodney Hutchinson, Jr. (1-5) took the loss. Zuberer, shortstop Jeremiah Burks and left fielder Lane Hoover had doubles for the Y’alls.
“I believe the vibes are still good on the team. We’re enjoying each other and yeah, we’re on a losing strike right now,” Hoover said. “The All-Star break can be good for us. After that, maybe we’ll get going. Just putting quality at-bats together is the biggest thing. We hit a lot of balls hard and that’s just how the game of baseball goes.”
New York then dominated Florence, 16-2 on Saturday, outhitting the Y’alls, 17-6. The Y’alls scored one run off the game’s lone error by the Boulders.
The Boulders built a 5-1 lead after three off Florence starter Edgar Martinez (5-4). Massey and Hoover had doubles to lead the Y’alls.
New York completed the sweep with a 6-3 win Sunday. Florence starter Jake McMahill (1-3) kept the Y’alls in the game, pitching into the seventh inning, striking out seven and walking one before Brian McKenna took over and Kent Klyman pitched the ninth.
“Keeping the walks down is something we’ve been working on,” McMahill said. “We’re trying not to do too much on the mound, just let the defense work and try to stay in the zone. (The Boulders) had a lot of hits. But a lot of them were bloopers. I think I beat a lot of guys that the box score is not going to show. That’s something I can live with. But we just have to try to get on the winning path again.”
Florence took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth, scoring off a New York throwing error. But the Boulders scored twice in the top of the sixth to take the lead for good, then hit a two-run home run in the top of the seventh to go up 5-2.
New York outhit Florence 13-12. Second baseman Tristin Garcia went 4-for-5, scoring twice and Massey went 2-for-4.
After the All-Star game Wednesday, Florence plays host to Washington (22-29) starting Friday at 7:03 p.m. The Y’alls are 5-1 against the Wild Things this year.