LEESBURG, Fla. (June 19, 2011) - Just under two weeks ago, Orlando Freedom pitcher Garrett Nuss (Mt. Dora HS) was taken out of high school in the 32nd round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the New York Yankees. Sunday, Nuss proved he was the real deal as he led the Freedom to an 8-2 victory over the Leesburg Lightning (9-3).
“Nuss had all his pitches tonight,” Freedom Head Coach Scott Makarewicz said. “(He had) total control, great mound presence; nothing was going to faze him. He was up for the challenge.”
The Freedom (2-11) starter grabbed his first victory on the season in dominant fashion. The young righty went six innings, giving up just one run (unearned) on seven hits, while striking out eight. Most impressive, perhaps, was his control, as he frequently got ahead in counts and walked just two.
“Everything just kind of worked,” Nuss said. “My infielders and outfielders did what they needed to do.”
The Freedom took an early lead in the second by way of an error and some timely hitting. Back-to-back walks began the inning. Jason Anderson (Brevard CC) followed with an attempted sacrifice bunt, however, an error on the pitcher attempting to nab the runner at third brought home one run.
Two outs and a walk later, Zack Houck (Jacksonville) blasted a single to right to bring in another. An Anthony Caronia (Tampa) double to right center that brought home Anderson and Houck, followed by an Aaron Spragg (Lipscomb) single that scored Caronia, gave Orlando a five-run lead after two at-bats.
Nuss ran into some trouble in the bottom of the third inning. With the bases loaded, Nuss issued his first free pass of the day to bring in a run for the Lightning. The pitcher got back to work quickly though, striking out the next Leesburg hitter to get out of trouble.
Orlando immediately took back a run in the top of the fourth. After two two-out walks, Matt Mattone (Palm Beach State) found a hole on the left side to drive in Caronia to push the lead back to five.
Nuss escaped trouble again in the bottom of the fourth. After two singles and one out, Lightning hitter Troy Drummond (Delaware State) punched a single up the middle to seemingly score a run. However, center fielder Anthony Siler (Brevard CC) came up firing to throw the runner out at home. Nuss then got a groundout to second and the threat was averted.
“He had a great throw,” Nuss said of his defensive help. “I was hoping he would be able to pick me up, and he did. I was cheering for him.”
The game was hit with some excitement (mixed in with a bit of controversy) in the bottom of the fifth inning. After a called third strike on a close pitch for the second out of the inning, Lightning first basemen Zane Evans (Georgia Tech) questioned the debatable call. Evans was ejected, as was Leesburg Head Coach David Therneau, who came to the defense of his player.
The Freedom added one more in the eighth after Siler legged out an infield single. Siler immediately stole second, advanced to third on a groundout and scampered home on a wild pitch, pushing the score to 8-1.
The Lightning returned the favor in the bottom of the inning, grabbing a run off reliever CJ Kelly (Seminole State College) to bring the score to 8-2. Aside from the one unearned run, Kelly was impressive as well. He finished the day going two innings, allowing no earned runs on one hit, adding two strikeouts.
Ed Brandsema (Montevallo) came on in relief in the ninth inning and, after a rocky start, was able to close out the game. When the final out was recorded, the scoreboard read 8-2 in favor of the Freedom.
An interesting change for the Freedom in the game was the swap of typical leadoff hitter Caronia to the two hole, while Houck, who usually bats second, moved to the top of the order.
“It’s still the same role,” Makarewicz said of the switch. “I think they like a little variety here and there once in a while. You have to do that.”
The move paid off for both hitters. Houck grabbed a hit while knocking in one and scoring one. Caronia led the Freedom hitters with three base knocks, driving in and scoring a run as well.
The victory over the top ranked team in the Florida League for the Freedom provided a much-needed boost ending a seven game skid that proved frustrating for coaches and players alike. Orlando will have a chance to make it two in a row Tuesday (June 21) on the road again against the Winter Haven Loggerheads (6-6). Game time is slated for 7 pm.
Jake Snyder (Marshall University)