Late Runs Lead Columbia to Third Straight Win over RiverDogs

The Columbia Fireflies scored a single run in both the eighth and ninth innings to beat the Charleston RiverDogs 3-1 on Saturday night at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park. Columbia has won three straight after dropping the first two games of the series. 5,112 fans took in the contest on Boy Band Night.

The score was tied 1-1 when the eighth inning got underway. The frame began with Seth Chavez walking nine-hitter Brennon McNair. He was replaced on base shortly thereafter when Erick Torres bunted into a force out at second base. A single by Blake Mitchell put two men on base and Daniel Vazquez’s bouncer to the mound pushed them to second and third with two outs. On the first pitch to Derlin Figueroa in the next at-bat, a low pitch squirted through the legs of catcher Raudelis Martinez and Torres raced home with the decisive run.

For good measure, the Fireflies (9-5) added a run in the ninth. They took advantage of three walks from right-hander Will Stevens to score on a fielder’s choice groundball to second by Lizandro Rodriguez.

The RiverDogs (6-8) had a chance to even the score in the bottom of the ninth but came up short for a second straight night. Woo Shin led off with an infield hit and raced to third on a single by Noah Myers. Myers quickly stole second base, and the tying run was in scoring position against Jarold Rosado with only one out. The rally was thwarted when Ricardo Gonzalez flied out to center field and Narciso Polanco struck out to end the game.

Charleston opened the scoring in a duel between starting pitchers Hunter Patteson of Columbia and Owen Wild. Gonzalex followed a double by Myers with an RBI single in the fifth to give the RiverDogs the lead. The Fireflies came back to even the score in the sixth with an RBI double by Mitchell. Wild struck out a career-high seven batters in 6.0 innings of work, allowing five hits. Patteson allowed his first run of the season, while tossing 5.0 innings and scattering three hits.

Eduardo Herrera and Rosado combined to work 4.0 scoreless innings in relief Patteson. Chavez and Stevens each allowed a run and combined to issue five walks in 3.0 innings.

Myers went 3-4 with a double and two stolen bases for the RiverDogs. Mitchell had three hits and an RBI for the Fireflies.

Ballpark Fun

On Boy Band Night, the RiverDogs wore custom alternate jerseys for the first time this season. The tops featured a whitewashed blue jean look. Those jerseys are available via online auction here. Between innings promotions and music featured popular hits from different boy bads throughout history.

The series finale is scheduled for Sunday evening at 5:05 p.m. RHP Hayden Snelsire (1-0, 0.00) will make his first start on the mound for the RiverDogs. He will be countered by Columbia RHP Blake Wolters (0-0, 4.50). Parking is free and kids are invited to run the bases after the game on an MUSC Health Family Sunday.