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Bullpen Incredible in 4-3 Win

Relievers tally 10 punchouts and five scoreless innings Thursday
April 20, 2023

COLUMBIA, SC – The Fireflies bullpen held a 4-3 lead from David Sandlin to take a 2-1 series lead over the Fayetteville Woodpeckers at Segra Park Thursday night. The game changed when Erick Peña launched a two-run homer, plating Daniel Vazquez and tying the game 3-3 in the bottom of

COLUMBIA, SC – The Fireflies bullpen held a 4-3 lead from David Sandlin to take a 2-1 series lead over the Fayetteville Woodpeckers at Segra Park Thursday night.

The game changed when Erick Peña launched a two-run homer, plating Daniel Vazquez and tying the game 3-3 in the bottom of the fourth. After the homer, Dionmy Salon singled and came home on a balk from Alimber Santa (L, 0-1) to give the Fireflies (5-5) the lead for the first time tonight.

After that, it was all about the bullpen. Marcus Olivarez stranded a pair of inherited runners in the fifth to keep the lead intact for Columbia before handing the ball to Steven Zobac (W, 1-0) Zobac punched out eight in three scoreless innings in his second appearance of the season. Zobac wrung up the first 10 hitters he faced professionally before Leosdany Molina popped out to second. Zobac has now worked five scoreless innings, striking out 14 and allowing one hit this season.

In the ninth, John McMillon (S, 2) came out and set down Fayetteville (7-4) without allowing a hit to earn the save.

The Woodpeckers jumped in front in the third inning on Zach Cole’s third homer of the season, a two-run blast to right field that scored Ryan Clifford, lifting Fayetteville to a 3-1 lead.

Fayetteville opened up the scoring. With two outs in the first, Zach Cole singled and stole second to put himself in position for Narbe Cruz to bring him home on a base knock.

The Fireflies were able to counter in the second inning. Brett Squires drew a lead-off walk before snagging his fifth stolen base of the season to set the table for Dionmy Salon, who was able to even the score with a two out single.

The Fireflies continue their series with the Fayetteville Woodpeckers tomorrow night at Segra Park at 7:05 pm. RHP Mauricio Veliz (0-0, 0.00 ERA) gets the nod for Columbia and Fayetteville counters with RHP Nic Swanson (1-0, 5.68 ERA).

Tomorrow, it’s 5 O’Clock at Segra Park as the Fireflies celebrate Margaritaville Night brought to you by AMAROK! Enjoy $5 cheeseburgers in paradise and $6 margaritas as the Fireflies host a laid back night at the ballpark. Not only that, but the first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a free Hawaiian t-shirt courtesy of AMAROK. Tickets are available at FirefliesTickets.com.