Washington Drops Middle Game in Florence in Extra Innings
FLORENCE, Ky. (July 4) - The Washington Wild Things fell to the Florence Freedom tonight by the final score of 9-8 in 10 innings, as Jordan Brower's walk-off single in the 10th completed Florence's comeback from down four in the middle stages. Washington (27-20) now looks to avoid a sweep tomorrow, as the Freedom (23-23) have taken the first two of the series.
Florence opened the scoring in the bottom of the first when an error by Washington’s short stop Brett Marr allowed catcher Skylar Ewing to reach second and second baseman Caleb Lopes to score.
Washington responded by scoring six runs in an explosive third inning, highlighted by a Mike Hill two-run double and a Hector Roa two-RBI single.
In the bottom of the frame, Florence’s designated hitter Jordan Brower singled to score shortstop Austin Wobrock, bringing the score to 6-2 Washington.
First baseman Jacob Wark added two runs for Freedom with a home run in the in the bottom of the fourth, but a two-run homer off the bat of Roa in the ensuing half-inning extended the Wild Things' lead back to four.
Florence mounted a comeback in their next at-bat by adding three runs, bringing the score to 8-7 Wild Things.
A sacrifice fly from Keivan Berges in the bottom of the seventh tied things up for the Freedom, and three innings later, a single from Brower got Florence a walk-off win for the first time since June 15.
Florence’s closer Johnathon Tripp got the win tonight after allowing back-to-back singles to start the visitors' 10th before coming back to get out of it unscathed. He was aided by two strikeouts in the frame. Washington’s Zach Strecker got the loss for his 1.1 innings on the mound and allowed one run on three hits, walked one and struck out two batters.
Washington and Florence face off one final time in tomorrow’s rubber game at UC Health Stadium in Florence, Kentucky. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m.
