Jul 12, 2013 1 min read

FLORENCE, Ky. – Junior Arrojos capped a five-run third inning by Florence with a three-run homer and the Freedom went on to defeat the Wild Things 11-5 Friday night in the opener of a three-game series.

Washington, which has lost eight of its last 10 games, was unable to protect an early 4-1 lead. Second baseman C.J. Beatty went 3-for-4 with three RBI. His solo home run in the top of the third gave Washington the three-run advantage.

Florence, however, knocked out Washington starter Shawn Smith (3-5) in the third.

Wild Things reliever Anthony Collazo struck out eight in four innings but gave up two home runs – Arrojo’s blast that gave the Freedom a 6-4 lead and a two-run homer by Alex Williams in the seventh that made the score 8-5. The Wild Things had pulled to within 6-5 in the top of the seventh on an RBI-double by Beatty.

Florence’s Jason Wilson (3-4) was the winning pitcher.

Washington lost starting catcher Jim Vahalik to an injury in the second inning when he was hit on the hand by a pitch from Wilson.