July 22, 2012 – Frontier League (FL) Florence Freedom O’Fallon,MO-The Florence Freedom and River City Rascals played a four hour and nine minute game, as the Rascals outslugged the Freedom 14-10. On top of the four hour plus game, there was a twenty minute delay in the top of the 6th as home plate umpire Bill Lopina was injured on a foul ball off the bat of Jim Jacquot, which forced him to leave the game, as field umpire Jeremy Stangelo umpired the remainder of the contest.

The Freedom had leads of 5-2, 7-2, and 9-8, but couldn’t hang on as they were dealt their fourth straight series loss. John Malloy went 3-5 with 3 RBI, including two solo homeruns, one of which led off the game which was the second time he accomplished this during the three game series.

After the Freedom tied the game at 10-10, the Rascals loaded the bases in the bottom of the 8th against relief pitcher Sean Gregory. With one out, Matt Kline was brought in to face Chris Andreas. Andreas eventually won a lengthy battle as he hit a SAC fly to right field scoring Eric Williams, which proved to be the game winning run. The Rascals then got some insurance runs in the inning on a three run homerun from Curran Redal to put them up for good 14-10. Gregory(4-5) took the loss as he was making his first appearance out of the bullpen this year.

The Freedom return to Florence for a brief three game homestand starting Sunday night against the Lake Erie Crushers. RHP Pat Arnold(3-2, 5.05) will get the ball for the Crushers, as Brandon Mathes(0-0, 5.45) will make his first start of the season for the Freedom. Sunday’s game can be heard with Steve Jarnicki starting at 5:50 pm on Real Talk 1160 and realtalk1160.com.

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