The Florence Freedom inched closer to evening their record on Friday night with a 4-1 victory over Traverse City in Michigan.
The Freedom (25-27) got five outstanding innings from Cody Gray (1-0) as they knocked off the Beach Bums (31-19). Â
The win marks the Freedom’s fifth straight victory, their longest winning streak of the season.
Gray struck out a career high nine batters over five innings of work, allowing only two hits, no runs, and walking only one to pick up his first career win.
Meanwhile, the Freedom got on the board in the third inning against Traverse City starter Michael Shreves (5-1). Travis Weaver got things started with a single up the middle. One out later Daniel Fraga singled as well. Zac Mitchell walked to load the bases.
That’s when Collins Cuthrell hit a chopper to third. Jose Vargas threw to second for one out, but Mitchell’s hard, clean slide into second forced a throwing error by Alex Tomasovich. The wild throw to first allowed Fraga to come around from second base to score. Meanwhile Weaver had already scored from third and Florence led 2-0.
Florence tacked on another run in the fifth. With one away Fraga drew a walk. He advanced to second on a wild pitch. Mitchell reached on an error and Fraga moved to third on the play. Cuthrell drove Fraga home when he hit a grounder in the hole at short. Sam Bumpers made a diving stop and tried to get Mitchell at second but Mitchell beat the throw and everyone was safe as Fraga scored to make it 3-0.
Justin Harris singled home Sam Eberle in the sixth to extend the lead to 4-0. Â
Tony Vocca struck out three batters in two and a third innings out of the bullpen in relief of Gray. Pete Levitt tossed 2/3rds of an inning of scoreless ball and Ethan Gibbons struck out a pair in the ninth. Overall, the Freedom pitching staff matched their season-high by striking out 14 batters in the game.
The Freedom will look to win their fifth straight road series Saturday night as they send Chuck Weaver (3-1, 3.48 ERA) to the hill. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. eastern time.
-Staff report
Photo provided
