FLORENCE, Ky. — The Gateway Grizzlies took the first lead of the game on an unearned run in the first inning, but the Florence Freedom rattled off five unanswered runs in response and Gateway mustered only four hits en route to a 5-2 series-opening loss Saturday night at UC Health Stadium.
Cody Livesay doubled and came in to score on an error in the top of the first inning, but Florence outfielder Connor Crane gave the Freedom the lead in the bottom of the inning with a two-run homer. Florence (5-2) added single tallies in the second, sixth and eighth innings.
Gateway’s (4-3) only other run came on a Trae Santos RBI groundout in the ninth, driving home Terry McClureafter he led off the frame with a double and moved to third on a wild pitch.
Max MacNabb (1-1) took the loss. He allowed four runs (all earned) over 5 2/3 innings pitched.
Josh Glick was strong in relief — he retired all four men he faced after inheriting two runners from MacNabb in the sixth inning.
After a rainout Friday night, the Grizzlies and the Freedom have two games remaining in the series. They’ll play a doubleheader Sunday afternoon; first pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. CDT. Grizzlies Media Network coverage begins at 1:20 p.m. CDT on yoradio.com/grizzlies, the Yo Radio app and KJFF (1400 AM).
