sfoggi posted on July 23, 2011 21:42
DELAND, Fla. (July 23, 2011) - After two straight tough losses for the Orlando Freedom, the squad got one back in the win column Saturday night against the DeLand Suns.
The Freedom took the victory thanks to another strong start by Garrett Nuss (UCF) and some timely early hitting. Nuss got the victory in the contest in five innings of work after Orlando picked up three runs in the first two innings.
“I didn’t expect any less effort than these guys have given the last two weeks,” Freedom Head Coach Scott Makarewicz said of his team rebounding to get the win. “They’ve been really getting after it.”
Orlando scored first in the game in the first inning after Kevin Lehane (Jacksonville) reached on an error, advancing to second on the miscue. Lawrence Pardo (Santa Fe) punched a single to center field to score the run and give the Freedom the early advantage.
Two more runs came for the Freedom in the second. Back-to-back singles by Jason Anderson (Brevard CC) and Cory Angelo (West Florida) led off the inning before Aaron Spragg put down a perfect sacrifice bunt to advance the runners. AJ Mackey (Gulf Coast CC) followed with a single and the Freedom held a 3-0 lead.
The Suns picked up two runs in the fourth to bring the contest within one. The two DeLand runs would be the only time the home team could get the better of Freedom pitching. Nuss finished five innings, allowing just the two runs on six hits while striking out four.
The bullpen finished the contest in typical Freedom fashion. The pen has been dominant all season, and did not disappoint Saturday. Three pitchers combined to finish out the contest allowing no runs in four innings of work.
“We just kept running those guys out there until they gained the confidence,” Makarewicz said of his stellar bullpen. “We just kept patting them on the back and they’re doing a great job.”
Orlando scratched one more across in the eighth when Anderson singled to bring home Lehane to give the Freedom a bit of insurance. CJ Kelly (Seminole St.) made short work of the Suns in the ninth to earn the save and give the Freedom their 12th victory of the season.
Most importantly perhaps, the win, coupled with some timely losses by other teams, propelled the Freedom back into fourth place and in control of their own destiny to make the Florida League playoffs.
“The guys have been showing more energy,” Makarewicz said. “They’ve been stepping up. We’ve gotten some big hits. We’re getting the whole pitching staff involved. It’s going to take 27 men to take us to the playoffs.”
The Freedom get back in action Sunday (July 24) against the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs. The Dawgs continue to battle for the top spot in the FCSL and will be looking to add distance between themselves and the Leesburg Lighting. Game time at Orel Hershiser Field between the Freedom and Winter Park is slated for 5 p.m.
Jake Snyder (Marshall University)