Bats Wake Up, Fireflies beat Augusta 

COLUMBIA, SC – The Fireflies regained their rhythm offensively, earning a 10-6 win against the Augusta GreenJackets as they reached double digit runs scored for the fourth time this season Saturday evening at Segra Park.

Columbia's (12-8) lead-off man worked an extra base hit in each of the game’s first three innings. Chris Brito represented the first run of the game for the Fireflies. The first baseman bashed a double to kick-off the second, and scored a few batters later thanks to a Dionmy Salon single. Salon also came around to score in the inning, crossing home on a Lizandro Rodriguez double.

The Fireflies continued the scoring an inning later. Blake Mitchell smoked a triple to the left-center gap and scored on an Adam Maier balk a few pitches later. The three-bagger was one of three hits for the top organizational prospect in the affair. Daniel Vasquez walked to reach base after Mitchell score, and eventually crossed home himself in the inning thanks to a single by Brito. Brito was a menace offensively in this game, reaching base each time he came to bat and scoring a pair of runs.

The GreenJackets (9-11) got on the board first. Kade Kern roped a solo home run to left field in the second inning. That was the only run allowed by Blake Wolters. The seventh-rated Royals prospect was stupendous in a starting effort, matching his career-best 4.2 innings pitched and adding career-high seven strikeouts along the way. Wolters would have been in line for the win, but a brief storm and ensuing weather delay prevented him from finishing the fifth inning. He was relieved by Yimi Presinal (W, 2-0) when play resumed 58 minutes later.

Augusta made things interesting after the weather delay and tied the game 5-5 in the top of the sixth. A hit-by-pitch, a pair of walks, and a double surrendered by Presinal gave the GreenJackets a chance at taking the lead, but the Columbia bullpen held the tie going into the home-half of the sixth.

The Fireflies wasted no time re-taking the lead, however. Erick Torres and Blake Mitchell both scored on wild pitches thrown by Reibyn Corona (L, 1-1).

Columbia added insurance in the seventh inning. Erick Pena crushed his 23rd home run as a member of the Fireflies, placing him at third on the all-time round-tripper list for the franchise. He’s one behind Juan Carlos Negret for second and two behind franchise leader Dash Winningham who mashed 25 homers between 2016 and 2017.

Eduardo Herrera (S, 1) recorded the final outs for the Fireflies. The right-hander allowed just one run in three innings of relief work. The victory gave Columbia control of the current series against Augusta, with one more game to play this week.

The Fireflies continue their series with the Augusta GreenJackets tomorrow night at Segra Park at 5:05 pm. RHP Logan Martin (0-0, 5.40 ERA) gets the nod for Columbia and Augusta counters with southpaw Riley Frey (1-0, 1.64 ERA).

The Fireflies close out Grits Weekend with a bang for Faith and Family Night at Segra Park. The game starts at five, but we’re opening the gates early at 3 pm for a Jeremy Rosado concert courtesy of HIS Radio 92.1 that’ll play from 3:30-4:30. After the game, stick around for Kids Run the Bases brought to you by Bang Back Pinball Lounge.