Fireflies Secure Series Win, Shutout Pelicans
COLUMBIA, SC – The Fireflies clinched a series victory Saturday with a decisive 9-0 victory over the Myrtle Beach Pelicans at Segra Park. It was the Fireflies first shutout of 2024 and their first shutout since Mauricio Veliz, Elvis Novas and Jacob Widener blanked Myrtle Beach by the same score
COLUMBIA, SC – The Fireflies clinched a series victory Saturday with a decisive 9-0 victory over the Myrtle Beach Pelicans at Segra Park. It was the Fireflies first shutout of 2024 and their first shutout since Mauricio Veliz, Elvis Novas and Jacob Widener blanked Myrtle Beach by the same score August 27, 2023.
Columbia received a tone-setting performance from Hunter Patteson (W, 1-0) in a starting effort against Myrtle Beach. The lefty tossed five scoreless innings, and has only allowed one hit through nine frames pitched thus far this season. Patteson also fanned seven batters, the third most “K’s” for a Fireflies starter this year.
Felix Arronde (S, 1) kept the ball rolling for Columbia in the sixth. He went four frames and allowed just one baserunner as he kept Myrtle Beach off the scoreboard Saturday evening.
In addition to Patterson’s prowess on the mound, the Fireflies continued to provide their pitching staff with ample run support offensively. Columbia’s lineup scored nine runs over four innings, beginning with a nine-man rally in the fourth.
Austin Charles kicked off the frame with a double, then came around to score after a pair of wild pitches from Juan Bello (L, 0-1). A quartet of Columbia batters reached base via the free pass after the two-bagger from Charles. Myrtle Beach walked seven Fireflies hitters in the first five innings. Jhonny Perdomo put an exclamation point on the rally with a bases-clearing, three-RBI double.
Blake Mitchell registered his first professional home run in the sixth. It was a night of offensive explosion, but the two-run shot from the highly-touted catching prospect stood out above the rest. Chris Brito added a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning, and a no-doubt, two-run home run of his own in the seventh inning.
The Fireflies continue their series with the Pelicans tomorrow night at Segra Park at 5:05 pm. Columbia sends RHP Logan Martin (0-0, 12.00 ERA) to the hill and Myrtle Beach counters with RHP Alfredo Romero (0-1, 2.45 ERA).