Game Recap

Y’alls Swept in Double-Header, Series to Conclude Road Trip

TROY, NY – The Florence Y’alls (17-16), presented by Towne Properties, dropped both games of Sunday’s double-header against the Tri-City Valleycats (19-14) by scores of 6-1 and 6-2. The losses marked the first series sweep suffered by the Y’alls this season.

In Game 1, the Y’alls’ bats started slowly against Tri-City starter Elijah Gill, who held Florence scoreless through six innings. In the bottom of the second, the Valleycats scored first when third baseman Ian Walters drew a bases-loaded walk against Y’alls starter Rodney Hutchison Jr. (3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K). Neither team would score again through five innings, and Tri-City led 1-0 heading to the bottom of the sixth. In the sixth, the Valleycats erupted for five runs on six hits against two Florence relievers. Left fielder Aaron Altherr hit a solo home run against Florence lefthander Michael Kirian to double the Tri-City lead. Four batters later, Ian Walters tripled in two runners to increase the Cats’ lead. Second baseman Trey Hair added a two-RBI single later in the inning to cap the rally. After six innings, Tri-City led 6-0. In the top of the seventh, Florence second baseman Harrison DiNicola hit a solo home run off Gill (6.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K) for the only Y’alls run of the game in a 6-1 defeat.

In Game 2, Florence fell behind quickly in the first inning. After a leadoff double and an infield single, left fielder Aaron Altherr grounded a two-RBI double down the left field line to give the Valleycats a 2-0 lead against Florence starter Bobby Brabrand (4.2 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 7 K). The Y’alls answered in the top of the second when Brian Fuentes doubled, moved to third on a groundout, and scored on a throwing error on Tri-City catcher Jakob Goldfarb. Florence eventually tied the game in the fifth when right fielder Ray Zuberer grounded out to drive in center fielder Cole Brannen from third base, but the Y’alls would not score again. The Valleycats then burst out offensively in the fifth, scoring four runs on two hits and three walks against a pair of Florence pitchers. First baseman Zach Bierman punctuated the rally with a two-RBI single against Florence righthander Sean Hughes. After five innings, Tri-City led 6-2 and never allowed the Y’alls to come any closer.

The loss marks a new season-long losing streak for Florence at five games and the first time all season an opponent has swept the Y’alls in a series. Florence now returns home to begin a nine-game homestand. Game 1 at Thomas More Stadium against the Gateway Grizzlies is Tuesday, June 20th at 6:32 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.