RiverDogs Snap Fireflies Win Streak with 4-1 Victory
CHARLESTON, SC - The Charleston RiverDogs found themselves in a 1-1 tie going into the bottom of the seventh inning, but scored three runs taking a 4-1 lead. Gosuke Katoh laid down a superb suicide squeeze to score two coming away victorious, 4-1 over the Columbia Fireflies in front of a crowd of 3,404 at Joseph P. Riley Jr., Park Wednesday night.
The Charleston RiverDogs (70-58, 28-31) immersed their fans with an odd occurrence, but did so in an insatiable way. With runners on second and third with one out, Gosuke Katoh stepped up to the plate and executed a perfectly developed suicide squeeze to score two runs on the play taking the 4-1 late-inning lead.
Alex Palma led of the charge with a leadoff walk followed by a hotshot single to left from Jhalan Jackson. After a strikeout, Mandy Alvarez poked a liner to left scoring Palma to increase the lead 2-1. Alvarez was able to advance to second on the play from a fielding error by Columbia Fireflies (60-69-24-35) left fielder, Vicente Lupo. With runners on second and third, Katoh put his right cleat on the front of the left-handed batters box and tapped in two runs on his impeccable bunt play.
The win snapped a season long winning streak for the Fireflies who had strung together five in a row.
Charleston struck first in the bottom half of the first frame with an RBI double to left from Alex Palma. Kyle Holder led off the inning by being hit in the knee by a fastball from Columbia's starter Andrew Church (5-2, 2.22).
In the top of the seventh, Columbia's Dash Winningham hit his 11th home run of the season off of Taylor Widener (1-0) to tie the game 1-1. Widener came in to relieve the RiverDogs starter Daris Vargas and picked up his first Class A win.
Ballpark Fun
Fans joined the RiverDogs to help celebrate their ISHPI Military Appreciation Night as all military got in free with military ID. It was also Greater Charleston Restaurant Association Service Industry Night as we helped recognize individuals in the local service industry. Service industry employees, who showed proof of employment with a pay stub, received 30 percent off of their game ticket and food. There were numerous in-game contests that highlighted the service industry members. It was also be Senior Wednesday as seniors who entered the park before 7pm receive a free hot dog, chips and a drink, and were allowed to run the bases after the game.
Upcoming
The RiverDogs will take on the Fireflies again Thursday night as the RiverDogs will throw out RHP Luis Cedeno (7-8, 3.58) vs Columbia's RHP Joe Shaw (7-9, 4.58). Join DJ Natty Heavy in the Ashley View Pub for another Budweiser Thirsty Thursday presented by 95SX featuring $1 draft beers. In association with ETV and South Carolina Public Radio, members of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra Brass Quartet will welcome everyone into the park and will be playing throughout the night. Prior to the game, there will be the Charleston Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony as we honor former Charleston Mayor Joe Riley, RiverDogs President Emeritus Mike Veeck, broadcaster Ted Byrne and former College of Charleston standouts Chris Campbell and Nick Chigges.
Ticket information for the RiverDogs homestand and any of the remaining home games can be secured by contacting the box office at (843) 577-DOGS (3647) or online at www.riverdogs.com. Tickets for Game Two of the SAL Divisional Series on Friday, September, 9 at 7:05pm are now available. Those that can't make it to the park can follow every pitch of the RiverDogs season on WTMA 1250 AM and streaming online at riverdogs.com. Listen on WTMA 1250 AM in the tri-county area.
--RIVERDOGS--