John Welch blasted a three-run homer and four Florence pitchers combined on a five-hitter Thursday night to lead the Freedom to a 6-1 Frontier League win at Evansville and a three-game sweep of the host Otters at Bosse Field.

Third baseman Tim Grogan, hitting in the leadoff spot for the first time with the Freedom, added a solo homer that wiped out an early Otters 1-0 lead and tied the game in the third. Welch’s fourth home run of the season put Florence in front for good.

Florence left-hander Demetrius Banks started and was lifted after allowing the only Evansville run in the first inning. Rookie right-hander Everett Saul came on in the second to make his professional debut. The former Missouri Western State star earned the win with four innings of three-hit shutout relief. Left-hander Alain Quijano worked the next three innings and allowed just one hit. Rookie southpaw Stephen Shao worked a 1-2-3 ninth to complete the win and the sweep for Florence (8-6), which ended a six-game road trip with a .500 record (3-3) and improved its overall mark to 8-6. Evansville (9-6) has now dropped six straight games since opening the season with nine consecutive victories.

Florence returns home to Champion Window Field at 7:05 p.m. EDT Friday for the opener of a three-game series against the Gateway Grizzlies. Right-hander Nick Dunning (1-0) will make his second start of the season for the Freedom in the opener of a seven-game home stand.