LOVES PARK (WREX) -
The Rockford RiverHawks furiously rallied back from an eight-run deficit, and Greg Van Horn hit a walkoff RBI single in the bottom of the ninth to give the RiverHawks a 11-10 win over the Florence Freedom Tuesday night.
Rockford loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the ninth inning off Florence reliever Brennan Flick (6-2), and Greg Van Horn laced a line drive to left to score Matt Greener and give the RiverHawks a dramatic win in their first game back home from a season-long 12-game road trip.
Flick picked up the loss, and Mickey Cassidy (3-2) got the win with an inning of scoreless relief.
"We feel confident no lead is safe here for opposing teams," manager Rich Austin said.
Trailing 10-2 in the sixth inning, the RiverHawks scored four runs to chase starter Alec Lewis, including a two-run double by Brandon Anderson.
Rockford rallied for four runs in the eighth inning to tie the game at 10-10. Evan Button doubled down the left field line, and Jim Parque scored from first as the relay throw bounced off catcher Jim Jacquot's glove.
Rockford's Justino Cuevas went 4-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs.
The RiverHawks set a season-high with 18 hits. The win marked the biggest deficit overcome for a victory for Rockford this season. The RiverHawks rallied from seven runs down and beat the London Rippers 8-7 in 10 innings on June 1, and they also rallied from seven runs down to beat the Normal CornBelters 10-9 on July 27.
Six Florence hitters recorded multi-hit efforts in the loss.
Peter Fatse hit a pair of RBI doubles and added a two-run homer, his seventh of the season.
Junior Arrojo went 2-for-4 with four runs scored and an RBI for the Freedom.
The series resumes Wednesday night as the pitching matchup for the game is Florence's Brandon Mathes (2-0, 3.49 ERA) against Rockford's Cody Hallahan (5-6, 4.72 ERA).
Wednesday night is Back to School Night at the ballpark. All kids (ages 3-12) get into the game for free, and they also can participate in an on-field clinic prior to the game, sponsored by Lou Bachrodt.
