sfoggi posted on July 10, 2011 21:11
ORLANDO (July 10, 2011) - What was working well for Jason Anderson (Brevard CC) during Sunday’s twinbill against the Winter Haven Loggerheads?
“Everything,” Anderson said.
The one word said it all as Anderson led the Orlando Freedom to back-to-back victories against the Loggerheads thanks to five hits, including two home runs. The teams collided in two seven-inning contests to make up for a previous rain delay.
Game One
The Freedom grabbed a 4-2 victory in the afternoon contest thanks to a three-run fifth inning. Starting pitching was solid for both squads as the game moved through four scoreless innings.
Starting pitcher Ronnie Schreurs (Daytona St.) proved to be effectively wild in 4 2/3 innings of work, walking seven, but mixing in four strikeouts and only allowing one hit.
The Freedom broke the scoreless tie in the fifth inning, beginning with an Anderson leadoff home run. A walk and stolen base by Zach Houck (Jacksonville) followed by an Aaron Spragg (Lipscomb) single pushed the lead to 2-0. Spragg in turn stole second and was brought home on a Kevin Lehane (Jacksonville) double to give the Freedom a 3-0 lead.
Anderson tacked on another RBI in the sixth inning bringing home Chris Suto (Lake Sumter) and extending the lead to four.
“Everything just came together today,” Anderson said.
The Loggerheads picked up two runs in the seventh, but reliever Joe Burns (Samford) was able to shut the door to give the Freedom the victory. Burns became the pitcher of record in 2 1/3 innings, as he was able to pick up his first win of the season.
Game Two
The Freedom were forced to play from behind in the early innings of the evening contest, but were able to muster up another high scoring inning to take an 8-4 victory.
The Loggerheads came out swinging in the second game picking up two runs in the second inning and another in the third to take a 3-0 lead.
Anderson pulled the game within two in the bottom of the third with his second big fly of the day. Both home runs came in at-bats to lead off an inning, with Anderson blasting the first pitch out of the park.
“Today, we talked a little bit about being more aggressive and just letting it fly,” Head Coach Scott Makarewicz said of the slugger. “He’s a big strong kid. He’s got a really good idea of the strike zone.”
After the Freedom held the Loggerheads scoreless in the top of the fourth, the bats went to work as Orlando picked up five runs in the bottom of the inning.
The Freedom brought nine hitters to the plate during the inning, racking up four hits, coupled with a few walks, to take the lead for good. Each run was scored after two outs were recorded in the fourth as Anderson picked up another RBI, Anthony Caronia (Tampa) brought in two on a base hit and Lehane singled to bring in another. Caronia scampered home on a wild pitch and the Freedom led 6-3.
The Loggerheads grabbed a run in the top of the sixth to bring the contest within two; but two more runs in the bottom of the inning for the Freedom put the game out of reach. CJ Kelly (Seminole St.) pitched 1 1/3 in relief to earn his first save of the season.
Kyle Rose (Georgia Tech) picked up his first victory of the season, also coming on in relief. Brandan Keen (North Florida) and Ryan Caporice (Santa Fe) also pitched well in relief.
The two victories move the Freedom to just a half game back for the fifth spot in the Florida League standings as the club attempts to battle to grab that final playoff spot. Orlando will enjoy three days off as the All Star break begins Monday, though seven Freedom players will be in attendance.
“We have to get some rest and be ready to turn it on in the second half,” Makarewicz said of the moving forward. “I’m really going to push intensity and tempo.”
The club gets back in action Thursday (July 14), at home against the Leesburg Lightning. Game time is slated for 7 pm.
Jake Snyder (Marshall University)