By: Matthew Gustafson
JOLIET, IL – The Florence Y’alls used two large scoring innings to propel themselves to a series-evening victory Saturday over the Slammers.
Florence (15-21) struck first with a run in the top of the second inning when Zade Richardson singled up the middle to score TJ Reeves. The Y’alls added on four more runs the next inning.
Hank Zeisler doubled to center field, scoring Blaze O’Saben and Ed Johnson, before Zeisler came home on a Brian Fuentes single to right-center field for a 3-0 lead. Brian Fuentes singled to right-center to score Zeisler before TJ Reeves scored on a fielder’s choice to give the Y’alls a 5-0 advantage.
The Slammers (17-21) responded in the bottom of the third inning with three runs of their own. Cal Hejza scored Victor Nova and Matthew Warkentin, the newly-named team captain, when his pop fly got lost in the lights. Braden Duhon then scored on a wild pitch to make the score 4-3.
Florence put the game away for good with a seven-run inning in the bottom of the sixth. The team recorded six hits in the inning, including a Brian Fuentes double to right-center field to score Blaze O’Saben and Ed Johnson.
The Y’alls added two final runs in the top of the ninth, starting with a solo home run to left field by Alberti Chavez. Ed Johnson scored their final run of the game on a Hank Zeisler sacrifice fly as the visitors won 14-3.
Randy Abshier earned the win for Florence, allowing six hits and three earned runs while striking out three batters in 5.0 innings pitched. Zac Westcott was tagged with the loss for Joliet, giving up 10 hits and five earned runs in 3.0 innings pitched.
The Slammers will go for the series win in the rubber match tomorrow on First Responders Night. First pitch is at 1:05 p.m.
For information on season tickets, premium suites or group outings, please visit the Slammers’ official website at www.jolietslammers.com.
