The Florence Y’alls are back in first place of the Frontier League West Division.
The Y'alls reclaimed the top position after a crucial three-game homestand against the Evansville Otters. Entering the series, the Otters were in first place.
Things came together for Florence in the series, and their play was almost good enough to take a three-game sweep against the Otters. The Y'alls won the first game 6-5 and the last game 13-10.
However on Wednesday, the Y’alls and Evansville Otters ended 10 innings tied 1-1. For just the second time this season, the Y'alls entered a game-deciding home run derby.
More: Florence Y'alls lose home in 1st-ever run derby, enter weekend series
Evansville took the derby with a score of 6-1. It was the second time the Y'alls lost to the Otters in a home run derby this season.
Field manager Brian White said the team felt confident they would have won the game against the Otters had it not been decided in a home run derby. He said although the team has lost both its home run derby appearances, they doesn't necessarily spend time in practice preparing for a derby.
Instead, the team focuses on ways they can close out games before a home run derby is needed, which played out in their favor as they took two of the three against the Otters to put themselves back in first place.
The comeback of Jordan Brower
After dislocating his shoulder in late June against Washington, Jordan Brower made his comeback this week for the Y'alls.
In the series finale against the Otters, Brower secured the Y'alls their 13-10 victory with a two-run double in the bottom of the eighth inning. His at-bat gave the Y'alls their three-run edge which the Otters would not recover from.
The next day, Brower did it again.
This time in the series opener against the Windy City Thunderbolts, the teams entered the sixth inning tied at three. Brower once again gave the Y'alls the edge with a RBI-double. He crossed home plate himself later in the inning.
Two innings later, Brower gave the Y'alls an insurance policy, slamming a two-run home run. It was Brower's fourth home run of the season.
More: Players shine as Florence Y'alls improve on the season
Field manager Brian White said he is happy to see Brower gaining back momentum after initially struggling when he first came off the injured list.
The Y’alls were to complete the weekend series against the Windy City Thunderbolts. White said the team feels confident about how they are playing after their performance against the Otters, who are one of the top teams in the league.
The Y'alls were to host the Thunder Bolts on Saturday night and on Sunday at 2:59 p.m.
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