Game Recap

Florence Snaps Losing Streak, Takes Homestand Opener

FLORENCE, KY – The Florence Y’alls (18-16), presented by Towne Properties, began their nine-game homestand with a 6-2 win over the Gateway Grizzlies (20-13) in Tuesday’s series opener. The victory snaps the Y’alls’ longest losing streak of the season at five games.

Neither team scored through two and a half innings of play before the Y’alls broke out of their offensive slump. In the bottom of the third, the Y’alls rallied for three runs. Veteran first baseman Craig Massey led off the inning with a solo home run – his first homer of the year – to make it 1-0 against Gateway starter Zac Ryan. Ryan allowed a single to Florence right fielder Ray Zuberer before allowing a two-run home run to designated hitter Brennan Price. After three innings, the Y’alls led 3-0.

Gateway stranded the bases loaded in the fourth before the Y’alls went back to work on offense. Florence tacked on three runs for the second consecutive inning. Back-to-back singles from left fielder Marcos Castillo and center fielder Cole Brannen placed runners at the corners before an error on Gateway second baseman Mark Vierling allowed Castillo to score. Ray Zuberer then doubled in two runners to make it 6-0 Florence.

The Y’alls wouldn’t need any more run support behind rookie righthander Nate Florence, who dazzled again (7.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K) against the high-scoring Gateway offense. The Grizzlies scored a pair of runs in the seventh inning when right fielder Jairus Richards scored on a wild pitch and Mark Vierling hit a sacrifice fly to score third baseman D.J. Stewart from third base, but Gateway would come no closer. Florence righthander Carter Poiry pitched two innings of scoreless relief to close the game and give the Y’alls a 6-2 victory.

With the win, Florence evened the season series against Gateway at 2-2 and earned its first victory since June 13th. Game 2 against Gateway is set for Wednesday, June 21st. First pitch is scheduled for 6:31 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.