Vanek Clobbers 13th Homer of Season in 4-2 Win

Top Storylines

• JC Vanek clobbered his team-leading 13th homer of the season in the bottom of the eighth inning to push the Fireflies to a 4-2 advantage

• Camden Johnson hit his first pro homer in the bottom of the seventh to give the Fireflies a 2-1 lead.

• Jhon Reyes spun 2.1 one-hit innings for the Fireflies to open up the day for the bullpen. On the night, relievers spun five, one-run innings.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — JC Vanek clobbered his team-leading 13th homer in the bottom of the eighth inning to catapult the Fireflies for a 4-2 win over the Charleston RiverDogs Tuesday night at Segra Park. Vanek’s homer went 103 MPH off the bat and travelled 425 feet to plate Daniel Lopez.

Camden Johnson provided the Fireflies with the first homer of the game in the bottom of the seventh inning. His first pro homer pushed the Fireflies to a 2-1 lead late in the game.

The Fireflies bullpen worked five, one-run innings on the day and they were led by Jhon Reyesm who spun 2.1 innings in relief of Shane Van Dam while allowing just one hit.

Play-by-Play

JC Vanek played hero in the bottom of the eighth inning. After Daniel Lopez led the frame off with a double down the left field line Vanek pulverized a two-run blast to give the Fireflies a 4-2 lead.

Andy Basora (S, 7) closed out the game with a 1-2-3 ninth inning with two strikeouts to earn his seventh save of the year.

Camden Johnson charged the Fireflies with a lead-off opposite field homer in the bottom of the seventh. The round-tripper was the first of the infielder’s pro career and it gave Columbia their first lead of the game, 2-1.

It didn’t take long for Charleston to match the effort. Slater De Brun was hit by a pitch to start the top of the eighth and came around on a one out single from Taitn Gray to tie the game 2-2. De Brun moved into scoring position on Grady Emerson’s first career hit, which was an infield single to second.

The RiverDogs got on the board first Tuesday night. Taitn Gray lined a lead-off single up the middle to start the second frame and advanced to third on a double that Roni Cabrera lost in the sun in left field. After that, he came around on an Alberth Palma groundout to second to break the scoreless tie.

Columbia equalized the game in the third. Ricson Gonzalez singled to start the frame and Daniel Lopez drew a walk to put runners on first and second with no one out. After that, Yandel Ricardo laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance both runners to set up a JC Vanek sacrifice fly to score Gonzalez and tie the game 1-1.

Both starters dealt Tuesday night. Shane Van Dam spun four frames and worked around four hits and two walks to hold the RiverDogs to just one run. He struck out three RiverDogs before turning the ball over to the bullpen. On the other side, Aidan Haugh went five frames around four hits and one walk to work around a single run. He retired four Fireflies via the strikeout before Charleston went to the pen.

Jhon Reyes was the first arm out of the bullpen for the Fireflies. The righty worked 2.1 innings while only allowing one hit. He struck out a pair to keep the game tied 1-1 before Dalton Hill got the ball,

On-Deck

Columbia continues their series with the Charleston RiverDogs tomorrow night at Segra Park at 7:05 pm. RHP Michael Lombardi (2-3, 3.31 ERA) takes the ball for Columbia and Charleston counters wtih RHP Jordi Infante (1-1, 2.70 ERA).

Tomorrow is the final CVETS Dog Days of Summer. Fans can bring their dog with them to the game. With the purchase of a ticket for a fan, their dog can join them for free. During the game, 16 oz cans of Whiteclaw will be available for only $5. Tickets are available at FirefliesTickets.com.