The Florence Y’alls (19-17) may have taken another series winning two out of three games against the Gateway Grizzlies (21-14) at Thomas More Stadium.
But a next step would be more series sweeps. Florence has been in position to sweep a series six times this year, but has only come through once. The Y’alls still reside in fourth place in the Frontier League West Division.
“I thought we did exactly what we wanted to do (in the first two games). We had a good plan as far as some guys not trying to do too much putting those guys in stress,” said Chad Rhoades, Florence manager. “When you have big innings, it’s not because guys are up there trying to hit doubles. It’s putting runners on base, then you get the pitcher stressed and he starts leaving pitches up. Then you get the big knock.”
Florence snapped its five-game losing streak Tuesday with a 6-2 win scoring three runs in each of the third and fourth innings to build a 6-0 lead then held on. First baseman Craig Massey hit a solo shot and designated hitter Brennan Price hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the third for the Y’alls before Ray Zuberer had a two-run double in the bottom of the fourth.
Gateway outhit Florence, 9-8 and both teams committed one error. The Y’alls scored one unearned run off that Grizzlies error.
Zuberer went 3 for 4 with two runs batted in and a run scored to lead Florence. Massey went 2 for 5 with two RBI and scored twice.
Nate Florence (4-1) had another good start for the Y’alls pitching seven innings striking out six, walking three and allowing six hits and two earned runs. Carter Poiry finished the game pitching two scoreless innings striking out one and allowing three hits and one walk.
The Y’alls then clinched the series win with a 7-3 win Wednesday. Florence scored twice in the bottom of the first when Price belted a two-run blast then scored five in the bottom of the eighth to expand a 2-1 lead to 7-1.
Both teams had seven hits. Zuberer led Florence going 2 for 4 with a double and scored one run. Third baseman Brian Fuentes doubled and drove in two. Second baseman Harrison DiNicola drove in two and Price scored twice.
Edgar Martinez (4-2) pitched six innings to earn the victory striking out seven, walking six and allowing just one hit. Michael Kirian, recently-signed veteran Brian McKenna and Kent Klyman pitched one inning each striking out one each.
McKenna has been with Florence in the past. But he missed all of last season with Tommy John surgery.
“I was really happy to get back out there and happy to be in a spot where I could help us win the game,” McKenna said. “That was an important inning there so it was fun to compete in that spot. The rehab is so intense. It’s about taking it slow and listening to your body. I was lucky to be around some guys who were going through it at the same time so we were helping each other out.”
But Gateway escaped with a convincing 14-2 win Thursday leaving the Y’alls with their sixth straight series finale loss. The Grizzlies took advantage of 17 walks and no strikeouts in the win and scored two runs off two Florence errors. Florence starter Rodney Hutchison, Junior (1-3) took the loss pitching the first three innings.
“If you’re giving up 18 free bases, you aren’t going to win a whole lot of games,” Rhoades said. “Once things got out of control, guys were up there trying to do too much. Then another big inning happens. It demoralizes you and takes the wind out of your sails. Then it’s hard to get things going again.”
Gateway ended up outhitting Florence, 10-9. Catcher Zade Richardson led the Y’alls going 2 for 3 with Brannen reaching four times with three walks and a double. Price socked a two-run home run in the bottom of the third for his third home run of the series and 10th overall to make it 3-2 Grizzlies. But Gateway exploded for four in the top of the fourth and three in the fifth to go up 10-2 before scoring four more in the top of the eighth.
“That’s it. I’m not trying to do too much,” Price said. “Fortunately, I’m getting good pitches to hit and I’m not missing them right now.”
Florence is 3-3 against Gateway this year. The Y’alls have two trips to Gateway this year with the first one July 3-5.
The Y’alls take on Evansville (21-15) in a three-game series at Thomas More Stadium starting Friday at 7:03 p.m.