Bradfield dedicates Spring Breakout performance to late friend
SARASOTA, Fla. -- It was about more than playing in the national spotlight. More than the dinner bet placed with an old college teammate earlier in the month. More than a game. As Enrique Bradfield Jr. slid home to score a run during the first inning of Saturday night’s Spring
SARASOTA, Fla. -- It was about more than playing in the national spotlight. More than the dinner bet placed with an old college teammate earlier in the month. More than a game.
As Enrique Bradfield Jr. slid home to score a run during the first inning of Saturday night’s Spring Breakout showcase between Orioles and Yankees prospects at Ed Smith Stadium -- aired live across the country on MLB Network -- he let out all of his emotions. He screamed loudly in celebration, putting a challenging week behind him in the process.
That hustle play was made for Isaiah Hood, Bradfield’s former teammate during his high school travel ball days in South Florida who died in a motorcycle accident at the age of 25 on Tuesday.
“For me to come out here, it’s meant a lot to me, personally,” said Bradfield, Baltimore’s No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, who was born in Pembroke Pines, Fla. “To be able to give my mom a hug and see how emotional she is, see my sister still come out here, and I guess just play for my friend. It was tougher than I expected, but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. I hope he’s resting up there. It’s just been a tough week for everybody that I’ve been around -- for my family, friends, his family. Playing with a heavy heart.”
Hood was a fellow baseball player who graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in 2019. He remained in Bradfield’s mind throughout Saturday night.
“A very quiet kid. Once you got him in a comfortable setting, he really opened up,” Bradfield said. “He’s a great friend, great person, great big brother, great son, all the way around. There’s a lot of people, including myself, including my family, who are hurting right now. Just made the past couple of days very tough. Trying to stay busy, keep my mind in good spirits. But at the end of the day, it’s a loss of life that can’t be replaced. It’s just hard. It’s very tragic and hard all the way around.”
Bradfield put on the type of performance during the Orioles’ 5-4 win that he was sure would have made his friend proud.
In the bottom of the first, Bradfield slapped a leadoff single to left-center field. He moved from first to third on an errant pickoff throw by New York right-hander Carlos Lagrange, showing off the 80-grade speed that helped make him the O’s first-round Draft pick in 2023.
“That guy runs way too much. He's way too fast,” top Orioles prospect Samuel Basallo said via team interpreter Brandon Quinones. “It’s really impressive what he's able to do.”
Then, Lagrange uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Bradfield to take off. The 23-year-old bolted home, dove headfirst and gave max effort in trying to score -- which he did successfully, touching the plate before moving his arms in a safe motion in unison with the home-plate umpire.
It was a run more meaningful than most scored by Bradfield over two professional seasons.
“I’m trying to be focused out there, and my energy in that moment, sliding across home plate specifically, just maybe some emotion comes out of me, and that’s normal,” said Bradfield, who finished 2-for-3 with a stolen base and two runs scored. “It’s life. Bad things happen, and you’ve got to pick yourself up and keep moving forward.”
Baseball can help the healing process, which has frequently been proven throughout the sport’s long history. Bradfield felt that way after playing alongside the friends he’s made in the Orioles’ farm system, many of whom put on impressive Spring Breakout performances of their own.
Bradfield started in left field and shared the outfield with two fellow primary center fielders -- Vance Honeycutt (Baltimore’s No. 5 prospect) in center and Jud Fabian (No. 23) in right.
Honeycutt (the O’s first-round Draft pick in 2024) hit an inside-the-park homer in the fourth for his first home run since joining the organization. Fabian made an impressive jumping catch in the sixth.
The exhibition ended in walk-off fashion, with Leandro Arias (the Orioles’ No. 20 prospect) hitting a game-winning two-out RBI single up the middle in the bottom of the ninth.
After Bradfield celebrated with all of Baltimore’s talented youngsters who stormed the field, he took a moment to be with his family. Then, he joined up with four of his former Vanderbilt University teammates -- O’s righty Patrick Reilly and Yankees prospects Spencer Jones, Bryce Cunningham and Greysen Carter -- for a group picture at home plate.
Bradfield also reminded Jones that he won their bet and that Jones must now buy Bradfield dinner in the near future.
“I’m definitely going to pick somewhere nice,” Bradfield said.
At the end of the night, it was important to Bradfield to spend some additional time with people who are close to him. He was eventually the final player to leave the field, after signing autographs for every kid that came up to the netting.
More reminders of what the sport means to Bradfield as he continued to mourn the loss of his close friend Hood.
“Us guys who play together -- whether we came across each other years in advance or whatever it may be -- when you step in that locker room,” Bradfield said, “it’s a special bond that you never forget.”
Mark Your Calendar: 6 Nights of Baseball and Fun You Won't Want to Miss!
From princesses, parrotheads, pajamas and more, next week at Segra Park has affordable fun for all. Whether you’re bringing the whole family, your four-legged friend or your cowboy boots, we’ve got your week covered as the first-place Fireflies host the Fayetteville Woodpeckers starting with a special Memorial Day game.
Allende Steals Home and Fireflies Win 6-4
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — The Fireflies scored four in the ninth inning, including a straight steal of home to tie the game, to win 6-4 over the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers Friday night at Atrium Health Ballpark. Henry Ramos drew a one out walk to start the rally. After that, Asbel Gonzalez
Fireflies Bats Stymied in 4-0 Loss
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — The Fireflies opened up with back-to-back hits, but the offense fell flat after. Columbia didn’t get a hit after the first out was recorded as they fell to Kannapolis 4-0 Thursday night at Atrium Health Ballpark. Grant Umberger (W, 2-0) was fantastic for the Cannon Ballers. The
BBQ, Brews and Great Deals Available Now
Kick off the Memorial Day weekend with BBQ, brews, bull rides and backyard fun — all in one unforgettable day. BBQ & Brews is coming to Segra Park tomorrow, and you don’t want to miss it! Buy your tickets today to avoid day-of price increases and save money. Here’s what’s
Four in the Eighth Beats Columbia 6-3
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — The Fireflies took a 3-2 lead to the eighth inning where Kannapolis hung four to beat the Fireflies 6-3 Wednesday night at Atrium Health Ballpark. Caleb Bonemer started the inning reaching on a fielding error from Derlin Figueroa. After that, Calvin Harris doubled to move runners to
Five-Run Fifth, Strong Pitching Combine for Win
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — The Fireflies bats plated a handful in the fifth inning behind a strong night of pitching to beat the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 8-1 Tuesday night at Atrium Health Ballpark. The Fireflies now have a two-game lead over Kannapolis for first place in the South Division. The Fireflies
Fireflies Drop Finale 8-1 to Augusta
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Fireflies bullpen worked seven innings and allowed only a pair of runs, but the Fireflies fell 8-1 to the Augusta GreenJackets Sunday evening at Segra Park. The GreenJackets struck first Sunday night. Augusta scored two in both the first and second innings. Then got their first
Ramirez Slams Fireflies to 11-Inning Win
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Ramon Ramirez provided the pop, homering twice after the eighth inning in a 7-6 walk-off victory over the Augusta GreenJackets in 11 innings Saturday night at Segra Park. In the bottom of the 11th, Ramirez came to the plate with Asbel Gonzalez at third and Derlin Figueroa
Fireflies Backed By Big Swings, Strong Start in 5-2 Win
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies used two home runs and a quality start from Yunior Marte to take Game 4 of their six-game set against the Augusta GreenJackets, winning 5-2 Friday night at Segra Park. Columbia jumped ahead in the bottom of the third inning. After Derlin Figueroa drew
Fireflies Fall Short 4-1 vs Augusta
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Fireflies received a strong, five-inning start from Hiro Wyatt, but fell short 4-1 vs the Augusta GreenJackets Thursday night at Segra Park. Columbia hopped on the board first in the bottom of the first inning. Asbel Gonzalez and Derlin Figueroa hit back-to-back singles to start the
Shields Dazzles in Debut as Fireflies Win 20th of 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies used an excellent outing from their pitching staff and a late Josi Novas blast to beat the Augusta GreenJackets 3-1 Wednesday night at Segra Park. David Shields was fantastic in his Carolina League debut. The southpaw spun four innings, wrung up five hitters and
$1 Beers Await at Segra Park Thursday
Buy Your Tickets Here!
We Reveal Our Beer Name & You Can Win Free Beer for a Year!
Get your tickets here!
Late Rally Not Enough as Fireflies Fall 8-6 in Extras
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Fireflies got a late rally to tie the game in the eighth, but ultimately lost 8-6 in 10 innings to the Augusta GreenJackets Tuesday night at Segra Park. Stone Russell got the rally started. The righty fell in a 1-2 hole before fouling off nine-consecutive pitches
Fireflies Late Rally Falls Short Sunday
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Fireflies rallied late, but fell short 3-2 to the Charleston RiverDogs Sunday night at The Joe. Columbia lost five of six games to Charleston this week, which marked their first six-game series loss of the 2025 season. The Fireflies got on the board in the top
Homestand Preview: May 13-18
Columbia, SC— The Fireflies have had a strong start to the 2025 season and at the quarter-pole, they are sitting in first place in the South Division. Cheer on the Fireflies as they defend their position against the Augusta GreenJackets at Segra Park in a six-game series. Ticket Links and
Early Offense Not Enough in 10-6 Loss
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Fireflies bats were hot early, but it wasn’t enough as the club fell 10-6 to the Charleston RiverDogs Saturday night at The Joe. Charleston drove ahead in the bottom of the fourth. Nathan Flewelling and J.D. Gonzalez hit back-to-back singles to start the inning. After recording
Marte Leads Way as Fireflies Hold on to 3-2 Win
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies used five scoreless innings from Yunior Marte to lead the way in a 3-2 win over the Charleston RiverDogs Friday night at The Joe. Marte worked five strong innings, striking out a 2025 Fireflies-best nine RiverDogs to keep Charleston off the board. Marte wrung
5/9 Day Sale: Get 25% Off New Era Fitted Hats
It’s 5/9 Day—and we’re celebrating the iconic New Era 59FIFTY series, the same hat our Fireflies wear under the lights at Segra Park. Now’s your chance to own a piece of the game. Take 25% off all Fireflies New Era Fitted hats through 11:59 PM on May 11.
Fireflies Fall 5-1 in Charleston Thursday
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies scored first, but fell 5-1 to the Charleston RiverDogs Thursday evening at The Joe. The RiverDogs tied the game in the third and didn’t look back after. Theo Gillen provided the bulk of the scoring. He slapped an RBI single to left in the
Russell's Three-Hit Performance Not Enough in 3-2 Loss
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Stone Russell led the way offensively for Columbia, notching three hits, but the Fireflies fell short 3-2 to the Charleston RiverDogs Wednesday night at The Joe. The Fireflies cracked the score column first. Stone Russell lined a double to right field with one out. After that, Jorge
Fireworks with the SC Philharmonic Returns to Segra Park
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies and the South Carolina Philharmonic today announced that Fireworks with the Phil, presented by Prisma Health, is returning to Segra Park for the fifth annual Orchestral Independence Day Celebration on Wednesday July 2. The event will include a concert with the SC Philharmonic and
Fireflies Blanked 4-0 in Opener in Charleston
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies bats were silenced for a second-consecutive game as they fell to the Charleston RiverDogs 4-0 Tuesday night at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park. Charleston got on the board in the bottom of the first inning. The RiverDogs scored a pair of unearned runs after
Gonzalez Named Carolina League Player of the Month
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies, in conjunction with Major League Baseball, today announced that Asbel Gonzalez has been named the Carolina League Player of the Month for April. Gonzalez led the Carolina League in average (.398), hits (33), runs (23) and stolen bases (30) across April. The center fielder
Help Us Honor Our Heroes on Military Appreciation Night
Dear Fireflies Family & Faithful, On Friday, May 2 at 7:05 PM, we’re proud to host Military Appreciation Night at Segra Park — a special evening presented by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina with support from WIS 10. This night is about more than baseball. It’s our opportunity to honor