Wild Pitch Caps Off Wild Win at Augusta

COLUMBIA, SC – The Columbia Fireflies were able to hold the Augusta GreenJackets at bay, scoring both of their extra innings runs on wild pitches in an 8-7 win that took 11 frames Thursday night at SRP Park.

Columbia (5-1) got a steal from placed runner Jean Ramirez to lead-off the 11th before he came home on the second GreenJackets (2-4) wild pitch of extra innings. The wild pitch put the Fireflies in front 8-7.

In the home half, southpaw Jack Aldrich (S, 1) entered the game in his first outing back with the Fireflies after a tour in Quad Cities. He was able to set down the GreenJackets 1-2-3 to earn his first Carolina League save.

The Fireflies jumped ahead in the 10th when they were down to their final strike. With the placed runner, Guillermo Quintana at third, Rolddy Munoz yanked a wild pitch that allowed the Fireflies to score the go-ahead run. The GreenJackets matched the run before heading to the second extra inning.

Luis Barroso (W, 2-3) ended up allowing an unearned run to score in the 10th as he finished the day with three hitless innings in relief.

Columbia forced extras in the eighth when Jean Ramirez lined a two-bagger to left to score Omar Florentino, tying the game 6-6.

The GreenJackets bounced in front with a three-run sixth inning. With the bases loaded, Connor Blair singled, Mahki Backstrom drew a walk and Kadon Morton hit his own RBI base knock that moved the GreenJackets from down by a pair to up 6-5.

Augusta cracked the score column first in the home half of the first frame. Geraldo Quintero lifted his fifth homer of the season beyond right field to score Cal Conley and push the GreenJackets to a 2-0 lead.

Columbia countered immediately though. With Enrique Valdez on first, Erick Peña doubled to center to bring home the third baseman and cut the GreenJackets’ lead to 2-1.

The Fireflies went on a run, scoring four of the next five runs in the game, as the team catapulted in front 5-3. The big play came in the fifth when Valdez lined a single up the gut to score Vazquez and River Town to give the team their first lead of the game. It came right after Vazquez reached on a fielder’s choice that scored Jean Ramirez to tie the game.

The Fireflies kick-off their weekend Friday night vs the GreenJackets at SRP Park at 7:05 pm. RHP Luinder Avila (4-6, 5.49 ERA) takes the bump for Columbia and Augusta counters with RHP AJ Smith-Shawver (1-4, 5.10 ERA).

Independence Day is right around the corner! Have a blast at Segra Park the whole weekend with two of the largest fireworks displays in the history of Segra Park being blasted off! We'll start the weekend with Fireworks with the Phil, presented by Prisma Health July 2 and we'll keep the party going as the Fireflies take on the Myrtle Beach Pelicans July 4. Tickets are available at FirefliesTickets.com.