Fireflies Struggle Again, Lose 15-2

COLUMBIA, SC – The Fireflies haven’t been able to figure out the Charleston RiverDogs line-up this week. After falling 15-2 at Segra Park Thursday evening, Columbia has been outscored 42-13 in the three games of this series.

Charleston (74-31) dealt their big blow in the second inning. Already leading 1-0, with runners on the corners, Diego Infante smashed his 13th homer of the season beyond the right field fence to put the RiverDogs in front 4-0.

Things didn’t get much better for starter Adrian Alcantara (L, 5-8) in the third. After Jonathan Embry slashed an RBI triple, Garrett Hiott roped a two-run homer to the berm in right to put Charleston in front 7-0. Alcantara left following the third, allowing seven earned runs off of six hits and a walk.

Things didn’t get much better after that as Chase Wallace was tagged for five unearned runs in 1.2 innings and Patrick Halligan allowed three runs in 2.1 innings in his Fireflies debut. The Fireflies were trailing 15-0 before they put two on the board.

Both Fireflies (47-58) runs were gifted from the Charleston bullpen. After Saul Garza and Gage Hughes opened the seventh with one out singles, Garza came around on a wild pitch to cut the score to 15-1. Burle Dixon led the eighth off with a walk and came home on a balk from Neraldo Catalina.

The biggest bright spot for the Fireflies was reliever Anthony Simonelli who retired the six batters he faced in order, striking out a pair.

The Fireflies continue their series with the RiverDogs tomorrow at Segra Park at 7:05 pm. RHP Luinder Avila (2-1, 2.03 ERA) gets the nod for Columbia and Charleston counters with righty Seth Johnson (3-6, 3.20 ERA).

Tomorrow is College Colors Night presented by the COMET. Come on out and support your favorite collegiate team by wearing their colors! The first 1,000 fans through the gates will get a free t-shirt. You can purchase tickets at FirefliesTickets.com.