Vanek Blast Not Enough As Fireflies Fall 5-4

HICKORY, N.C. — The Fireflies jumped out to a 4-2 lead, but couldn’t hold off the Hickory Crawdads in a 5-4 loss at L.P. Frans Stadium.

The Crawdads rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh to take a late lead. Hector Osorio led the frame off with a single before Jose Gutierrez got a strikeout and was replaced by Henson Leal (BS, 1; L, 0-1). Leal hit a batter and walked the next batter before giving up a two out single to Angel Arredondo to push the Crawdads in front 5-4.

After that, J.D. McReynolds (S, 1) worked a scoreless ninth inning to close out the game for Hickory. The Fireflies were held without a hit in their last 4.1 innings.

JC Vanek broke out the rally cry in the top of the fifth inning. The first baseman sent a towering homer beyond the left field fence off reliever Frank Martinez to tie the game 2-2. Later, Roni Cabrera doubled and to put runners on second and third. With two outs and two strikes, Yandel Ricardo muscled a single to plate Cabrera and Henry Ramos to push Columbia

Columbia broke through in the top of the second frame. Brooks Bryan led things off with a double down the right field line. After that, Stone Russell singled to right to put runners on the corners. With JC Vanek at the dish, Russell started a double steal that allowed Bryan to score to give Columbia a 1-0 advantage.

Kendry Chourio worked 3 innings with four strikeouts and allowed a single run in his first start of the season. After that, Jose Gutierrez spun 3.1 innings of one-run baseball with a trio of punchouts to make it to the seventh.

Hickory didn’t take long to counter the blow. Deward Tovar led the home half of the inning off with a single and came around later in the inning to tie the game. Henry Ramos collected Columbia’s first outfield assist of the season to cut down Paulino Santana for the second out of the inning to keep it a tie game.

The Crawdads added on in the third inning too. After drawing a one out walk, Marcos Torres came around on a Tovar ground out to break the tie and make the score 2-1.

Columbia continues their series with the Hickory Crawdads tomorrow night at L.P. Frans Stadium at 7 pm. RHP Blake Wolters takes the ball for Columbia and Hickory counters with righty Jesus Lafalaise.

The Fireflies Home Opener is Tuesday, April 7 at 7:05 pm against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Join the Fireflies at Segra Park for Neon night, including a neon rally towel giveaway Friday, April 10, 8-Bit Baseball Bash with a post-game fireworks show Saturday, April 11 and our first Budweiser Thirsty Thursday of the year with $1.50 hot dogs and Budweiser products. Buy your tickets now at FirefliesTickets.com.