Jabs Homers Again but Hickory Wins a Close One

COLUMBIA, SC - Columbia outfielder Jay Jabs blasted his second home run this week, but that was all the offense for the Fireflies on Saturday night. The Crawdads defeated the home team, 3-1, at Spirit Communications Park.
With his team trailing, 3-0, Jabs launched an Edgar Arredondo (W, 6-5) fastball well over the right-field wall. It was Jabs' seventh of the season, coming on the heels of his solo homer on Tuesday night against Charleston.
Hickory (56-63) plated a single run in each of the first three frames. The number one ranked Rangers prospect, Leody Taveras, scored first. He began the opening inning with a walk and zoomed to third base on Andretty Cordero's single. The next hitter was Alex Kowalczyk; the Crawdads left fielder pushed a ground ball to the right half of the infield. Taveras scored from third when Columbia (59-57) attempted to turn the double play. Kowalczyk beat out the throw to first base and earned an RBI.
Brendon Davis handed the visitors a 2-0 lead with a towering solo homer in the second. The only other run starter Marty Anderson (L, 0-2) allowed was in the third. Kowalczyk scored on an error. 
Anderson settled down with scoreless fourth and fifth innings. He retired the first two batters in the sixth before Manager Jose Leger went to his bullpen. The 'pen delivered like it has all year. First, Joe Zanghi logged 2.1 shut-out frames and struck out a pair. Matt Blackham hurled a one-two-three ninth. Neither reliever allowed a hit.
Columbia finishes its series with Hickory on Sunday evening at 5:05 p.m. Right-hander Justin Brantley  (1-0, 3.38) starts for the Fireflies and faces Crawdads righty Walker Weickel (4-3, 2.75)
 
You can watch the action on MiLB.tv starting at 5:00 p.m. or listen in on ESPN Columbia 94.9 FM and 1230 AM, ColumbiaFireflies.com and on the TuneIn app starting at 4:45 p.m.