Game Recap

Y’alls Take Series Opening Thriller

AUGUSTA, NJ – The Florence Y’alls (17-11), presented by Towne Properties, built an early lead and eventually hung on to win 6-5 against the Sussex County Miners (17-10) in Game 1 of a three-game set at Skylands Stadium.

In a back-and-forth game, Florence built an early lead against Sussex County starter Alex Hart. After a scoreless first three innings, the Y’alls jumped Hart for four runs in the fourth. Five straight runners reached with one out and four scored on four hits and a pair of Sussex County errors. Shortstop Jeremiah Burks contributed an RBI single, while left fielder Marcos Castillo drove in two with a single.

The Miners answered back with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. After walks to center fielder Jawuan Harris and left fielder Will Zimmerman, catcher Elvis Lopez singled both of them in to cut the Florence lead to 4-2. The Y’alls tacked on another run in the fifth when designated hitter Brennan Price smacked his seventh home run of the year, but Sussex County scored runs in both the fifth and sixth to make it a one-run game. After six, the Y’alls led 5-4.

Florence scored its sixth run in the seventh when second baseman Craig Massey led off with a single and advanced first to second on a wild pitch, then to third on a groundout. Brennan Price drove in Massey from third with a sacrifice fly to make it 6-4 Y’alls.

The Miners scored in the eighth off of Florence righthander Carter Poiry, but lefthander Kent Klyman entered to record two outs and strand a Miner at second base. In the ninth, Klyman allowed back-to-back singles to designated hitter Oraj Anu and Will Zimmerman. A groundout advanced both into scoring position, but shortstop Willie Escala grounded out to shortstop to end the game.

Righthander Bobby Brabrand (6.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 5 K) earned the victory, while Klyman locked down his second save of the year. The Y’alls now lead the season series with the Miners 1-0 and return for Game 2 on Wednesday, June 14th for a chance to take the regular season series. First pitch from Skylands Stadium is set for 7:05 p.m. ET.

The Florence Y’alls presented by Towne Properties are Northern Kentucky’s professional baseball team, and are proud members of the independent Frontier League, an MLB Partner League. With a purposeful focus on entertaining our fans, the Y’alls provide affordable, family-friendly entertainment. Y’alls home games are played at Thomas More Stadium, located at 7950 Freedom Way in Florence, Kentucky. More details can be found online at florenceyalls.com (http://florenceyalls.com/) or by phone at (859) 594-4487.