The Florence Freedom dropped a close one to the Joliet Slammers at Silver Cross Field on Sunday.
Cody Gray (3-1) tossed five and a third innings, allowing three runs while fanning four. The Northwood University (FL) product suffered his first loss of the season as he hit three batters in the contest, including Casey Fletcher in the sixth, who eventually scored the go-ahead run.
Florence (34-38) got on the board first. Daniel Fraga singled and promptly stole second and third to put himself 90 feet away from scoring. Frazier Hall drove in Fraga with a RBI ground-out.
Florence added to their 1-0 lead in the third. Zac Mitchell singled and stole second. Sam Eberle ripped a triple into the left center field gap that plated Mitchell and gave Florence a 2-0 lead.
Joliet (29-43) got one back in the fourth and took the lead with two runs in the fifth. Florence tied the ballgame in fifth. Daniel Fraga doubled with one out. Mitchell singled sharply into center that allowed Fraga to score and even the game at three.
Joliet took the lead for good in the sixth. Gray exited after five and a third innings with the bases loaded and one out. Pete Levitt entered for the Freedom and induced a Nate Roberts fly ball out that was deep enough to allow Fletcher to score as the Slammers pulled ahead by a score of 4-3.
Levitt got the final two outs of the sixth. Chuck Weaver and Ethan Gibbons each struck out one in a scoreless seventh and eighth innings. Florence left seven men on base in the loss. Â
The Freedom return to action against the Normal CornBelters on Tuesday. First pitch live from the Corn Crib is set for 7:35 p.m. eastern time. Chuck Weaver (5-3, 3.41 ERA) takes the hill for the Freedom. Fans can tune in at http://mixlr.com/
-Staff report
