Columbia Takes Opener Behind Three-Run Fifth

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Columbia Fireflies were able to get the first six runners aboard in the fifth inning to score three runs and catapult themselves in front before beating the Myrtle Beach Pelicans 4-3 at TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Stadium Tuesday evening.

Columbia got things going in the fifth. The first six Fireflies batters in the inning reached base safely. Felix Familia started things off with a double to right and scored from a Burle Dixon bouncer up the gut. That made the score 1-0. After Dixon stole second, Rubendy Jaquez laced a double to right to tie the game. Jaquez was picked off for the first out of the game, but Herard Gonzalez had the third two-bagger for the Fireflies in the fifth after Matt Schmidt reached on an error to set the table for Tyler Tolbert. The Fireflies shortstop reached on a second error from Luis Verdugo in the inning and Schmidt scampered home to put the Fireflies in control.

After a couple of innings, Darryl Collins was able to provide some insurance in the seventh, depositing a base knock to right to plate Gonzalez and give Columbia a 4-2 lead.

The Pelicans broke things open in the second, after starter Matt Stil allowed a pair of singles to Pablo Aliendo and Jordan Nwogu. With runners on second and third, Matt Warkentin bounced a ball to short that allowed both Aliendo and Nwogu to score after a throwing error from Tolbert.

The bullpen was phenomenal for the Fireflies, offering 5.1 one-run frames. Emilio Marquez (W, 4-0) inherited a runner on first in the fourth, but forced a flyout to end the frame before working a scoreless fifth frame. After that, Zack Phillips pushed through three innings, fanning half a dozen Pelicans and allowing just a single run. Ismael Aquino (S, 2) returned from the injured list in style, earning his second save of the season on a 1-2-3 ninth to end the game.

The Fireflies continue their series with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans at TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Stadium tomorrow evening at 7:05 pm. RHP Anderson Paulino (4-2, 4.50 ERA) climbs the hill for the Fireflies while Myrtle Beach sends Righty Manuel Espinoza (3-5, 4.15 ERA) to the bump.

Columbia returns home Tuesday, July 20 to open up a seven-game set against the Augusta GreenJackets. The Fireflies will be celebrating Frontline Workers Appreciation Night, brought to you by T-Mobile, Princess Knight, presented by Lowes Foods and will have a t-shirt giveaway during the series. To purchase tickets for the event, visit FirefliesTickets.com.