Game Recap

Y’alls Pounce in Late Innings, Lock Down Series Victory

FLORENCE, KY – The Florence Y’alls (19-16), presented by Towne Properties, erupted for five runs in the eighth inning and propelled themselves to a series victory over the Gateway Grizzlies (20-14) at Thomas More Stadium on Wednesday.

For the second straight night, Florence scored first in the early stages. The Y’alls plated a pair of runs in the first inning when right fielder Ray Zuberer singled in front of designated hitter Brennan Price, who promptly hit his second home run in as many days to make it 2-0 Florence.

Y’alls righthander Edgar Martinez (6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 6 BB, 7 K) made the two-run lead stand up thanks to another quality start. Martinez pitched no-hit baseball through five innings before working out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the sixth to hold the Grizzlies scoreless. Gateway would eventually tack on a run in the seventh after two straight singles from center fielder Jairus Richards and left fielder Andrew Penner started the inning. After a double steal moved both runners up, second baseman Gabe Holt hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Gateway’s first run and cut the Florence lead to 2-1.

The Grizzlies would come no closer thanks to a Florence rally in the eighth inning. A one-out pitching change preceded a walk to Y’alls center fielder Cole Brannen and a double from first baseman Craig Massey. With two in scoring position, a Ray Zuberer flyout and an intentional walk to Brennan Price loaded the bases for second baseman Harrison DiNicola, who lined his first hit of the series up the middle to score two Florence runs. Third baseman Brian Fuentes followed up with a two-run double to drive in two more. Shortstop Jeremiah Burks capped the scoring with a line-drive single into left field. After eight, the Y’alls led 7-1.

Gateway rallied for two runs in the ninth when designated hitter Peter Zimmermann doubled in two runners to make it 7-3, but Florence lefthander Kent Klyman preserved the lead and a 7-3 victory for the Y’alls.

With the win, Florence has won its first series of the year against Gateway and now leads the season series 3-2. Game 3 between the Y’alls and Grizzlies is set for Thursday, June 22nd at Thomas More Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:03 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.