Homestand Preview: August 16-28

COLUMBIA, SC – The Fireflies (22-19) occupy the second spot in the Second-Half South Division Standings, three games back of the Charleston RiverDogs as they welcome in the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (22-20) and the Salem Red Sox (20-21) for a 12-game homestand that represents half of the remaining season. Second place and fifth place are separated by just 1.5 games, and the first series against the Cannon Ballers may decide who gets to keep pace with the rest of the torrid division.

**Tuesday, August 16: Fireflies vs Cannon Ballers: 7:05 pm
Wednesday, August 17: Fireflies vs Cannon Ballers: 7:05 pm
Thursday, August 18: Fireflies vs Cannon Ballers: 7:05 pm
Friday, August 19: Fireflies vs Cannon Ballers: 7:05 pm
Saturday, August 20: Fireflies vs Cannon Ballers: 6:05 pm
Sunday, August 21: Fireflies vs Cannon Ballers: 5:05 pm

Tuesday, August 23: Fireflies vs Red Sox: 7:05 pm
Wednesday, August 24: Fireflies vs Red Sox: 7:05 pm
Thursday, August 25: Fireflies vs Red Sox: 7:05 pm
Friday, August 26: Fireflies vs Red Sox: 7:05 pm
Saturday, August 27: Fireflies vs Red Sox: 6:05 pm
Sunday, August 28: Fireflies vs Red Sox: 5:05 pm**

Columbia and Kannapolis last met at Atrium Health Ballpark July 26-31 and the two teams split a six-game set. Kannapolis’ key player in the series was first baseman DJ Gladney. Gladney paces the league with 18 homers and has the third-most RBI in the Carolina League this season with 63 across 100 games played. The hot corner has the White Sox sixth-best prospect, Wes Kath, occupying it, according to MLB.com. Kath has 85 hits in 94 games this season. Finally, right-handed pitcher Jared Kelly has found his stride in the second-half of the season for the Cannon Ballers. In his last full month, he notched a 1.99 ERA in July through 22.2 innings where he held his opponents to a .165 batting average.

The last time Columbia saw Salem, the team looked entirely different. The Red Sox swept the Fireflies in a six-game set that closed out a 12-game road trip in Virginia to kick-off the month of June. Since then, Red Sox top prospect and fourth overall pick in the 2021 draft, Marcelo Mayer has been called up. He paced the circuit amongst qualifying batters with a .406 on-base percentage before moving up to Greenville. That doesn’t mean that Salem graduated all of their bats though. They still have first baseman Niko Kavadas, who is seventh in the League with 14 homers and third baseman Blaze Jordan, who is hitting .286 with 57 RBI this season. Salem’s top prospect according to MLB.com, is right-handed pitcher Wikelman Gonzalez. Gonzalez has chewed up 81.1 innings this year, punching out 98 hitters while holding opponents to a .212 batting average. Pipeline lists him as the Red Sox ninth-best prospect.

MILLER LITE $2 TUESDAY: Stop by Segra Park Tuesday evening for one of our favorite promotions, coming back again for 2022. Enjoy $2 hot dogs, popcorn, fountain sodas and 12 oz cans of Miller Lite as the Fireflies open up a new series.

WHITE CLAW WEDNESDAY: The Fireflies are bringing back a special Wednesday tradition to get fans over the hump day blues! Wednesday, all 16 oz White Claw Seltzers are available at the ballpark for only $5. Both White Claw Wednesdays are also Trash the Poop Dog Days of Summer where your pup can hang out on the berm with you during the game!

BUDWEISER THIRSTY THURSDAY: It’s always a beautiful night at Segra Park when you can get half-priced draft beer and fountain sodas. It’s even better when you can purchase $2 Bud Lights at the Budweiser Bow Tie Bar. Of course, this Thursday, that’s not all that will happen at the Budweiser Bow Tie Bar, make sure to head over early as we’ll be hosting Marvel Trivia the second week of the homestand.

SUNDAY FUNDAY: There’s always fun at Segra Park on Sundays! Come early to get autographs from Fireflies players from 4-4:15 pm on the concourse and after the game, stick around for kids run the bases! There’s not a better way to close out the weekend than watching the Fireflies at Segra Park!

FAITH AND FAMILY NIGHT, PRES. BY COLUMBIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY: This Faith and Family night at Segra Park is bound to be a whole lot of fun for the whole family! We’re welcoming Zooperstars! to Segra Park for the first time since 2019! You won’t want to miss out on this nationally renowned mascot act! If that weren’t enough, World Series champion Mookie Wilson will speak following the game and prior to a dazzling fireworks show!

T-SHIRT GIVEAWAYS: Each Friday of this homestand, the Fireflies will be giving away unique t-shirts to the first 1,000 fans in attendance. First, we’ll be giving away a throwback Fireflies shirsey and second we’ll be giving away a House of Fireflies dragon-themed t-shirt! The t-shirts are courtesy of The COMET and The Blood Connection.

MARVEL DEFENDER OF THE DIAMOND NIGHT: Avengers, assemble! The Fireflies are waging war with the Salem Red Sox, and they’ll need all the help they can get if they want to save Segra Park! Join Black Panther and Black Widow at Segra Park as the Fireflies will suit up in special Black Panther jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game. We’ll also have a spectacular fireworks show! It all starts August 27 when gates open at 5 pm.