FLORENCE, KY–The River City Rascals completed a three-game weekend sweep over the Florence Freedom on Sunday afternoon with a 7-3 win at UC Health Stadium. Paul Kronenfeld led the Rascals with three runs driven in and JD Hearn homered and stole home in the victory. The Freedom left eight men on base, including seven in scoring position, in their ninth straight loss. Rascals first baseman Clint Freeman also extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a single in the first inning.
The Rascals scored two in the first inning on a bases loaded balk that brought home Jeremy Glore and an RBI fielder’s choice from Kronenfeld. The Freedom got on the board in the third inning with a sacrifice fly from Connor Crane. Hearn homered to right to bring the Rascals up 3-1 in the fifth, but the Freedom countered with an RBI single from Jose Brizuela in the home half of the frame. JD Hearn gave the Rascals another run with a steal of home on a delayed double steal in the seventh, and the Freedom added a run in the eighth on a solo shot from Keivan Berges, making it 4-3 entering the ninth inning.
The Rascals added three critical insurance runs in the top of the ninth, on a bases loaded hit-by-pitch from Braxton Martinez and a two-run single to right from Kronenfeld. Cody Mincey retired the Freedom in order to preserve the win in the bottom of the ninth.
Hector Hernandez (3-0) earned the win for the Rascals, going six innings and allowing two runs, striking out five. Freedom starter Chuck Weaver (0-1) took the loss, allowing three runs, one earned, in six innings, while striking out eight.
The Rascals (14-6) are off tomorrow, and will host the Normal CornBelters on Tuesday night at CarShield Field to kick off a six-game homestand. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 pm CT. Josh Kimborowicz is expected to start for the Rascals.
