sfoggi posted on July 17, 2011 15:51
WINTER PARK, Fla. (July 17, 2011) - For the second time in as many days, the Orlando Freedom played a home contest at the field of the opposing team. And for the second time in a row, Freedom pitching led the club to victory, taking down the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs 1-0 Sunday afternoon.
Leading the way for the Freedom was starting pitcher Garrett Nuss (UCF). Nuss grabbed his second victory of the season in an outing where he was completely dominant, allowing just two hits, while striking out seven.
Nuss pitched seven scoreless innings and retired an inning 1-2-3 in five of the innings he pitched. The hard-throwing righty has allowed just two runs in his last 21 innings; giving him a nearly flawless 0.85 ERA in his last four starts.
The bullpen for the Freedom has been nearly as spectacular as Nuss, pitching the last two innings scoreless to give Orlando their first shutout of the season. Josh Larson (Santa Fe) and CJ Kelly (Seminole St.) provided the relief work for the squad, with Kelly getting his second save on the year. The bullpen has pitched 14 2/3 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run.
The Freedom picked up their lone run in the fourth inning. With runners on second and third and two outs, Matt Mattone (Palm Beach St.) floated a single that lofted over the head of the Diamond Dawg shortstop to bring home Jason Anderson (Brevard CC).
The one run would prove to be enough.
The victory for the Freedom continues a fabulous hot streak dating back to the week prior to the all-star break. The Freedom have won four of their last five contests and have vaulted out of last place into the fourth place spot.
Orlando has the chance to continue the hot streak Tuesday (July 17) against the Leesburg Lightning. The Lightning sit alone atop the Florida League standings, but the hot handed Freedom look to win their third consecutive game for the first time all season. Game time slated for 7 pm.
Jake Snyder (Marshall University)