sfoggi posted on July 25, 2011 20:23
SANFORD, Fla. (July 25, 2011) - The Orlando Freedom and the Sanford River Rats were unable to finish a contest in nine innings for a second time this week as the Rats took down the Freedom 6-5.
The Rats got a pair of infield singles in the bottom of the 10th inning, both with two outs, to tie and take the lead, respectively to win the game.
The Freedom scratched across their first runs in the top of the third inning. AJ Mackey (Gulf Coast CC) led off the frame with a walk. In an effort to sacrifice Mackey over to second, Anthony Siler (Brevard CC) put a bunt down toward third.
Instead, Siler sped down the first base line to beat the throw for a base knock. As Siler reached the bag, the throw got away allowing Mackey to race home and Siler to advance to third. Kevin Lehane (Jacksonville) followed with a single and the Freedom took the 2-1 advantage.
The Rats tied the score in the bottom of the third and took back the lead in the fourth; picking up two runs off of starter Tim Koons (Fort Scott CC) to grab a 4-2 lead.
The Freedom drew the game even in the eighth inning. Anthony Caronia (Tampa) and Kevin Lehane (Jacksonville) started the rally with a pair of one out singles. Following a double steal to bring both runners into scoring position, Matt Mattone (Palm Beach St.) punched a single in the left center gap to tie the score.
Neither team could push a run across in the ninth to push the game into extra frames.
A strange play allowed the Freedom to take the first run in bonus time. With Lehane on second and Mattone on third with two outs, the runners embarked on an attempted double steal. Lehane reached third easily, but Mattone hesitated and seemed dead to rights at second.
The throw from the catcher soared high but was gloved by the shortstop. A tag was applied but Mattone was ruled safe. Meanwhile, Lehane, realizing no one was paying attention to him, broke for home and slid in safe to give the Freedom a 5-4 lead.
The Rats, intent on keeping the contest interesting, loaded up the bases with two outs in the bottom of the 10th. Sanford Head Coach Steve Piercefield called on Austin Liput (USC Upstate) in a pinch-hit at-bat to face Freedom closer Ed Brandsema (Montevallo).
Liput delivered with an infield single to bring home a run to tie the score. Dominic Attanasio (Clemson) followed with another infield single and the Rats took down the Orlando Freedom to draw even with the visiting club for fourth in the Florida League standings.
The lines between the teams at the bottom of the FCSL standings continue to blur as three teams fight for two spots in the play-in game. The Rats and Freedom sit in a virtual tie in the fourth place position. Meanwhile, the Winter Haven Loggerheads continue to hang quietly in the background, just a game out in sixth.
The Freedom meet said Loggerheads Tuesday (July 26) night in a game that could continue to tighten up the bottom of the league. A win by the Loggerheads, coupled with a Sanford loss, would draw three teams even in a tie for fourth place. With just six games left for all three teams, every game becomes a must-win for each team.
No doubt, it will be an exciting conclusion to an unbelievably tight race in the Florida League. Game time for the Freedom and Loggerheads at Chain ‘O Lakes Park in Winter Haven is set for 7 p.m.
Jake Snyder (Marshall University)