The Florence Freedom dropped another close game, falling 2-1 to the Southern Illinois Miners on Sunday at UC Health Stadium.
The Miners (39-21) took advantage of Florence’s defensive miscues in the fourth inning to score their first run and a lead-off walk came around to score in the eighth inning on an Aaron Gates RBI single, giving Southern Illinois the lead for good.
With the loss, the Freedom drop to 4 games below .500 at 28-32.
Florence starter Coleman Stephens tossed five and two thirds innings, while allowing only one hit while fanning four. The Texas native did not factor in the decision as he was forced to leave with a cut on the thumb on his throwing hand.
Trailing 1-0 heading to the bottom of the fourth, Florence tied the game up. Andrew Godbold singled to lead off the frame and moved to third on a Sam Eberle single. Justin Harris laid down a bunt that allowed Godbold to score and Florence to tie the game at one.
The Florence bullpen came in for the final three and a third innings. Tony Vocca (3-1) went two innings and allowed one run while fanning two as he suffered his first loss of the season. Pete Levitt got the final out of the eighth and Ethan Gibbons struck out the side in the ninth.
Florence left eight men on base in the loss. They finished the series having scored a combined five runs over three games. The Freedom also committed a season-high three errors in the game. Â
The Freedom will look to bounce back on the road starting Tuesday night in Avon, OH as they take on the Lake Erie Crushers. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. and all the action can be heard at http://mixlr.com/
-Staff report
