Fireflies Earn Sixth Shutout of Season Behind Shields 

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Fireflies pitching staff fired on all cylinders to produce the team’s sixth shutout of 2025 in a 6-0 victory over the Fredericksburg Nationals Wednesday night at Segra Park.

David Shields was lights out on the bump. The southpaw worked four innings and matched a career-best seven strikeouts. He kept Fredericksburg off the board before getting the ball to the bullpen. Shields hasn’t allowed an earned run in his last three outings over 12 innings.

Henson Leal (W, 6-4) picked up right where Shields left off. Leal went three hitless innings with a trio of strikeouts to move the shutout to the eighth frame. Leal has now earned the most wins for the Fireflies this season. Augusto Mendieta closed out the game with two perfect innings a pair of strikeouts.

The Fireflies staff earned their sixth shutout of the 2025 season and their first since July 4 vs the Augusta GreenJackets.

Columbia got on the board first in the first frame. Asbel Gonzalez blooped a base knock to right on the first pitch of the game. Then Angel Acosta drew a walk to set the table. After that, Ramon Ramirez grounded into a double play that advanced Gonzalez to third, which eventually allowed him to score on a Brayan Romero wild pitch to break the scoreless tie.

The next inning, Yandel Ricardo drew a lead-off walk and then Hyungchan Um and Milo Rushford laced back-to-back singles to load the bases for Columbia. Josi Novas grounded out to score Ricardo and double Columbia’s lead. Then a wild pitch brought Um home before Henry Ramos knifed a single to plate Rushford to give Columbia a 4-0 advantage.

In the third, Ramon Ramirez singled and came around on another Romero wild pitch to push the Fireflies in front 5-0. Ramirez came through again in the seventh inning. Columbia’s catcher clubbed a solo homer to make it 6-0. It was Ramirez’s 10th homer of the season, which is tied for second in the Carolina League.

Brayan Romero (L, 1-4) was saddled with the loss after surrendering five earned runs in four innings for the FredNats. Merritt Beeker spun two scoreless innings to keep the Nationals within a handful, but then Yohan Otanez surrendered a run in the seventh before Tommy Kane finished the night with a scoreless eighth.

The Fireflies continue their series with the Fredericksburg Nationals tomorrow night at Segra Park at 7:05 pm. RHP Kendrys Chourio makes his Carolina League debut for Columbia and Fredericksburg counters with LHP Liam Sullivan (0-0, 4.50 ERA).

Tomorrow is a Budweiser Thirsty Thursday. Fans can enjoy $1 Busch Lights and $3 Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, Mystery Margaritas and fountain sodas. Buy your tickets now at FirefliesTickets.com.