The Florence Freedom (10-16) hit five home runs on their way to a 16-6 victory over the Schaumburg Boomers (11-15) Saturday night at UC Health Stadium.
The 16 runs scored by Florence were the most runs tallied by the Freedom in one game since archiving began in the Frontier League in 2010.
Gaby Juarbe led the way at the dish for the Freedom, going 3-5, with two home runs, a double, six RBI and three runs scored. For Juarbe, the home runs were the first two of his professional career. Cody Bishop also went 3-5 with a home run and four RBI. Austin Newell smashed a home run of his own, while going 3-5 with four runs scored and two RBI. Travis Weaver added a home run of his own.
Juarbe put the Florence on the scoreboard in the first, quite literally. Sam Eberle singled and moved to second on a Collins Cuthrell single. Juarbe brought them both home, demolishing a Scott Plaza (0-4) pitch over the left field fence and off the scoreboard. Juarbe’s first career home run gave Florence a 3-0 lead after one.
Florence added to their lead in the second. Weaver lifted the second of Florence’s five home runs on the evening over the left field fence. The shortstop’s second career home run gave the Freedom a 4-0 lead.
The Freedom added four more runs in the third. Eberle led off with a double. Newell smacked his fourth home run of the season to drive in himself and Eberle. Cuthrell walked and came around to score on a Juarbe RBI double. Cuthrell, in his professional debut, went 2-4 with three runs scored and a RBI. Bishop followed with a single that brought home Juarbe and made it 8-0 in favor Florence after 3.
Florence tagged on two more runs on in the fourth. Eberle led off with a walk. Juarbe followed two batters later with his second home run of the game and the second of his career. The Freedom led 10-0 after four frames.
The Freedom’s starter Jeremy Gooding (1-0) went five innings in his Florence debut to pick up the win. The Michigan native allowed four runs while striking out four. The Boomers cut Florence’s lead to 10-6 after the top half of the sixth.
The Florence bullpen tossed four innings and allowed two runs. Jacob Ezell surrendered two runs in his inning on the bump. Seth Harvey fired a scoreless seventh inning. Ethan Gibbons struck out two Boomer batters in a scoreless eight inning. Ed Kohout tossed a scoreless ninth inning while fanning one.
The Freedom put up a four spot in the sixth inning. Eberle led the frame off with a single, and Newell followed with a single of his own to put runners on first and second. Cuthrell ripped a double that brought home Eberle. Newell scored on a balk two pitches later. Bishop kept the line moving with a double off the right field wall that plated Cuthrell. Steve Carrillo walked and Weaver followed with another walk to load the bases. Daniel Fraga watched a 3-2 pitch miss outside for ball four and a RBI walk. Florence led 14-6 after six innings.
Florence tacked on two more runs in the seventh. Newell led off with a double to start the threat. Two batters later, Bishop launched the fifth and final home run of the day over the right field fence. The Freedom scored 16 runs, the most in at least the past five seasons for the organization.
The Freedom return to action on Sunday evening against the Boomers in the rubber match of the three-game series. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m.
-Staff report
