The Florence Freedom (12-13) got a much needed quality start from pitcher Andrew Clark. Clark pitched a gem in his professional debut. Clark pitched seven and one thirds innings, allowing only one run on three hits, and defeating the Washington Wild Things (11-13) 5-1.

After a scoreless top of the first, Tim Grogan hit a leadoff homer for the second time this season. Grogan has been on fire to start the year, batting .311 with five homers and seventeen RBIs in 23 games.

The Freedom added on to their lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Kelly Hunt led off the inning with a single to center field. After Billy Mottram flied out to center, Freedom right fielder John Welch singled to right field, moving Hunt to third. Hunt scored on a two out single from Eddie Gonzalez, giving the Freedom a 2-0 lead.
Florence held the Wild Things scoreless in the top of the 5th inning, thanks in part to Ryan Basham. Washington first baseman Nathan Messner hit a liner in the left-center gap. Basham ran it down and made a diving catch to rob Messner of a base hit. Clark continued his strong pitching, retiring Dempsey and Hoisington to end the top of the fifth inning.

Florence added two more insurance runs in the bottom of the 5th inning. Kelly Hunt led off the inning with a homer; which is his third homer in five games with the Freedom. John Welch singled in Billy Mottram to score the second run of the inning and give the Freedom a 4-0 lead.

Andrew Clark faced the minimum of 21 batters after retiring the Wild Things 1-2-3 in the top of the seventh inning. However, Clark ran into trouble in the bottom of the 8th, giving up one run and allowing two base runners before Freedom manager Jamie Keefe went to his bullpen. Keefe brought in his 8th inning man, Yosandy Ibanez. Ibanez walked the first batter he faced to load the bases. However, Ibanez pitched out of trouble, retiring the next two batters to end the bases loaded threat.

Florence closer Cody Castle came in the 9th to close the door on the Washington Wild Things. Florence beat Washington for the first time in the 2008 season and Florence moves a half game ahead of Washington in the Eastern Division of the Frontier League.