Bats Cruise in 12-5 Sunday Showdown
COLUMBIA, SC – The Fireflies offense came out in a hurry, scoring six runs in the first two frames on the way to a 12-5 win over the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Sunday evening at Segra Park. The Fireflies were able to swipe five of six games in their first home
COLUMBIA, SC – The Fireflies offense came out in a hurry, scoring six runs in the first two frames on the way to a 12-5 win over the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Sunday evening at Segra Park. The Fireflies were able to swipe five of six games in their first home series of the year and head to Charleston tied for first in the South Division of the Carolina League.
The Fireflies jumped out of the gates again. They sent 17 hitters to the plate in the first two innings against Alfredo Romero (L, 0-2) and Jeral Vizcaino. Blake Mitchell got things started with a two bagger and then the hits rolled in. Next, Daniel Vazquez slapped a double to score Mitchell before coming around on a Derlin Figueroa base knock to put Columbia up 2-0. Figueroa came around on an Erick Pena RBI single.
The second inning got started with a few walks to set up a wild pitch with the bases loaded to score Erick Torres. Next, Figueroa hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Mitchell and Austin Charles singled to score Vazquez. Before fans blinked, Columbia led 6-0. Gabriel Silva launched a two-run blast in the third to 7-0 to let the Fireflies cruise.
After a short start from Logan Martin, who gave up four runs across the first three innings, Chase Isbell (W, 1-0) steadied the course. The righty faced six batters in two perfect innings and punched out four. Next, Doug Kirkland and Yimi Presinal added scoreless frames to close out the game around a pair of innings from Jorge Polanco to round out the performance from Columbia.
The Pelicans had to use six pitchers, who walked a combined 12 Fireflies, combine that with the 13 hits Columbia collected and the club had a season-best 25 baserunners in the victory. Erick Torres notched three hits, Silva walked two times to reach safely a trio of times and Figueroa had two hits and a walk and the heart of the lineup continued to produce big moments. The Fireflies outscored Myrtle Beach 49-15 in the final four games of the series.
Columbia travels to Charleston Tuesday morning at 11 for their first full week road trip of the campaign. Columbia sends RHP Blake Wolters (0-0, 10.80 ERA) to the bump and Charleston counters with LHP Drew Dowd (0-0, 2.25 ERA)
The Fireflies return home April 23 for a six-game set with the Augusta GreenJackets at Segra Park. Friday, April 26 will be the inaugural Carolina Grits game at Segra Park. We’re celebrating with a Grits bobble spoon giveaway. Get your tickets at ColumbiaFireflies.com.