Florence knocked around Windy City pitching for 11 runs on nine hits as the Freedom downed Windy City 11-1.
For the second consecutive start, Ross Stout struggled in the first two innings as the Freedom got a pair of first inning runs as Florence banged out three straight hits including doubles by Ryan Basham and Justin Pickett. After Windy City scored a run in the top of the second inning on an RBI single from Vinnie Scarduzio, Florence came back with three more in the bottom of the inning on an RBI double from Johnny Welch and a Basham homerun to take a 5-1 lead.
After the rough beginning, Stout settled in and retired 11 of the next 12, with the only Freedom player reaching against him on a strikeout-wild pitch as the score remained 5-1 into the bottom of the sixth. With two out, Brad Hough doubled, followed by a Welch single, bringing home the runner for a 6-1 Florence lead.
The Windy City bullpen did not fare well as Florence took advantage of wildness and sloppy play, bringing home five runs on just two hits as three walks and two hit batsmen as well as an error conspired against the ThunderBolts to pad the Florence lead up to 11-1.
The runs came in support of Chuck Tiffany (3-1) who pitched his second straight good start, going six innings allowing four hits and one unearned run. Ross Stout (10-4) took the loss going six innings allowing six hits. Stout will be happy to see the Freedom in his rear view mirror as he is 0-2 with an ERA of 7.94 against Florence while going 10-2 with a 2.09 ERA against the rest of the Frontier League.
In the middle game of the series Dustin Pease (8-6, 4.70) will start for the ThunderBolts against Allan Donato (0-0, 1.69) for the Freedom. All six games can be heard on 88.3 FM, WXAV. For game times, information or tickets, call 708-489-BALL or visit the team’s website at
www.wcthunderbolts.com
