Huntingdon’s Free earns first win with Guelph Royals

GUELPH, Ontario – Huntingdon senior Gavin Free received a standing ovation as he walked off the mound at Posey Field for the final time in late April.

Free's days as a collegiate pitcher may be behind him, but the Opp, Alabama native isn't done with baseball. Free recently signed to play in Canada's Intercounty Baseball League for Ontario's Guelph Royals.

Free reported to the Royals on May 16 and earned his first start in the team's home opener on May 19. In the 7-6 victory over the Kitchener Panthers on Monday, Free earned the win, struck out five, walked five, scattered six hits and allowed four earned runs in five innings. It was the first win of the season for the Royals (1-1).

"It was the home opener and I was fortunate to get the win," Free said. "I enjoyed it. It wasn't my best performance, but it was a start. This is a high caliber of ball. The guys in this league are great competitors. The guys I faced on Monday were the best hitters I've ever faced. When I made a mistake, they made me pay for it."

The Royals were formed in the 1800s and were a charter member of the Intercounty Baseball League when it formed in 1919. Guelph has won nine IBL championships, the third most of any team in the league. According to the IBL website, the league features alumni with ties to 18 MLB teams.

"There are a lot of great players here," Free said. "There are guys that have spent time in major league organizations like the Reds, Brewers and Blue Jays, and guys just out of college. There are a lot of guys in the 23-26 age group that are working to get to, or get back to, that level.

"My goal is to play at the highest level I'm capable of playing, whether that's here or in The Show. Right now, only the Good Lord knows what's ahead. But I'm going to work hard, have fun and try to make the most of my opportunities."