Mudcats Earn Series Splitting 6-0 Victory in Home Finale
Columbia 0 @ Carolina 6 September 04, 2022 | Venue : Five County Stadium | First pitch : 1:00 PM | Att : 2,086 | T : 2:25 COL: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 CAR: 1 0 0 2 0 1 2 0
Columbia 0 @ Carolina 6
September 04, 2022 | Venue : Five County Stadium | First pitch : 1:00 PM | Att : 2,086 | T : 2:25
COL: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1
CAR: 1 0 0 2 0 1 2 0 x 6 6 1
WP: Fernando Olguin (3 - 3) LP: Luinder Avila (6 - 10)
ZEBULON –Jace Avina went 2-for-4 with a home run in the sixth and a two-run single in the seventh, Eduarqui Fernandez hit a two-run home run in the fourth, Robert Moore scored twice, and pitchers Logan Henderson and Fernando Olguin combined on a five-hit shutout as the Carolina Mudcats defeated the Columbia Fireflies 6-0 in what was the final home game of the 2022 season at Five County Stadium.
Henderson started for the Mudcats (33-27, 67-59) and pitched through three scoreless innings with six strikeouts, three hits and one walk. He also set career-highs in both innings with three and pitches with 58 (40 strikes) in what was his fourth start with Carolina. Olguin (3-3) took over for Henderson in the fourth went on to work through six scoreless frames while also totaling six strikeouts and scattering two hits.
The Mudcats originally led 1-0 in the first after Moore walked, stole second, advanced to third on a single by Eric Brown Jr. and scored on a RBI ground out from Jesus Chirinos. Fernandez then hit a two-run home run in the fourth to lift the Carolina lead to 3-0. Avina went on to drive in the final three Carolina runs as he hit a solo home run in the sixth and had a two-run single with two-outs in the seventh. Moore scored on Avina’s single after starting that rally with a two-out hustle double.
Luinder Avila started for the Fireflies (33-26, 51-74) and ended up with the loss after allowing Moore’s run in the first and the Fernandez home run in the fourth. Avila (6-10) pitched through sixth with three runs, two hits, three walks and four strikeouts. Reliever Ben Sears worked the seventh and part of the eighth while allowing three runs on three hits. Two of Sears’ hits were allowed to Avina and included his home run and two-run single. Luis Barroso finished the game an inning and 1/3 scoreless for Columbia.
The victory was Carolina’s second straight and lifted them into a 3-3 series split with the visiting Fireflies. The Mudcats finished the 2022 season with a 42-24 home record, giving them 42 victories at home for the first time since the 2015 season.
Despite the victory, Carolina’s elimination number fell to two with only six games remaining.
Following the game the Mudcats announced that Jackson Chourio earned the club’s 2022 Willie Duke Award. Hedbert Perez was honored with the Ed Hales Award. The Willie Duke Award is the club’s most valuable player award and is presented annually to the player who best symbolizes the spirit and dedication to baseball exhibited by Willie Duke. The Ed Hales Award is presented annually in recognition of the player(s) who best exemplifies unselfish spirit, dedication and commitment to the community.
HOME RUNS:
Carolina: Fernandez (3, 4th inning off Avila, 1 on, 1 out); Avina (5, 6th inning off Sears, 0 on, 0 out).
TOP PERFORMERS - BATTERS:
Avina, CF (Carolina): 2-for-4, 1 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 3 RBI
Fernandez, LF (Carolina): 2-for-3, 1 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 2 RBI
Moore, 2B (Carolina): 1-for-3, 2 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI
Vaz, LF (Columbia): 2-for-4, 0 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI
Wallace, 3B (Columbia): 1-for-4, 0 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI
Quintana, 1B (Columbia): 1-for-4, 0 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI
TOP PERFORMERS - PITCHERS:
Henderson (Carolina): 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO
Olguin (W, 3-3) (Carolina): 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 SO
Avila (L, 6-10) (Columbia): 5 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO
Barroso (Columbia): 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO
SCORING:
Mudcats 1st (Mudcats 1, Fireflies 0) -- Robert Moore walks. Robert Moore steals 2nd base. Eric Brown Jr. singles to deep shortstop. Jace Avina flies out to Levi Usher. Robert Moore steals 3rd base, Eric Brown Jr. steals 2nd base. Jesus Chirinos grounds out, Daniel Vazquez to Guillermo Quintana, Robert Moore scores. Hendry Mendez flies out to Javier Vaz.
(1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors, 1 LOB)
Mudcats 4th (Mudcats 3, Fireflies 0) -- Jesus Chirinos flies out to Levi Usher. Hendry Mendez walks. Eduarqui Fernandez hits a home run to left-center field on a 0-0 pitch, Hendry Mendez scores. Branlyn Jaraba strikes out on foul tip. Jheremy Vargas strikes out swinging.
(2 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB)
Mudcats 6th (Mudcats 4, Fireflies 0) -- Pitcher Change: Ben Sears replaces Luinder Avila. Jace Avina hits a home run to left field on a 1-0 pitch. Jesus Chirinos strikes out swinging. Hendry Mendez flies out to Levi Usher. Eduarqui Fernandez walks. Eduarqui Fernandez steals 2nd base. Branlyn Jaraba struck out looking.
(1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors, 1 LOB)
Mudcats 7th (Mudcats 6, Fireflies 0) -- Jheremy Vargas struck out looking. Alex Hall strikes out swinging. Robert Moore doubles to center field. Throwing error by Ben Sears on the pickoff attempt. Eric Brown Jr. walks. Eric Brown Jr. steals 2nd base. Jace Avina singles to left field, Robert Moore scores; Eric Brown Jr. scores. Pitcher Change: Luis Barroso replaces Ben Sears. Jesus Chirinos walks, Jace Avina to 2nd. Hendry Mendez grounds out, Dayton Dooney to Guillermo Quintana.
(2 Runs, 2 Hits, 1 Errors, 2 LOB)
MiLB podcast discusses Anthony, Caglianone at Triple-A
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
These are the greatest Minor League promos happening in June
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
New playoff format coming to 2025 Dominican Summer League
Minor League Baseball announced the 2025 Dominican Summer League (DSL) season will begin June 2 with Opening Day festivities taking place at the Boston Red Sox Academy in Guerra. The 2025 campaign will also see the introduction of the DSL Cup, a new playoff format that will see 16 DSL
Debating best Minor League home caps on podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
The Omaha Storm Chasers' 'Take Meow-t' cat night included a Litter Box Sundae
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Boston's Triple-A affiliate throws birthday bash for Roman Anthony
With all the hype that has surrounded Roman Anthony over the past two seasons, it’s easy to forget how young he really is. MLB's No. 1 prospect played 70 games at the highest level of the Minors before he could order a beer. But he can now. Roman Anthony turned
Friendly foes, 2024 first-rounders Moore and Caglianone trade first Triple-A homers
For years, Christian Moore and Jac Caglianone laced up their cleats against one another in the SEC. A rivalry that spanned Florida, Tennessee and other landmarks across the South moved to Salt Lake City this week as the Royals and Angels' top prospects got simultaneous Triple-A promotions. So it was
Phillies' Moore, Fausnaught join MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Red Sox prospect rips double THROUGH Fenway-esque scoreboard
Red Sox No. 4 prospect Franklin Arias, an infielder for High-A Greenville, REALLY didn’t want to let visiting Asheville score any runs in the top of the eighth inning on Friday night. With runners on first and second base in the bottom of the fourth, Arias showed he apparently held
April's hottest hitting prospects -- one for each organization
The Minor League season is a month old and several of the game's best hitting prospects are off to fast starts. Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony is tearing up Triple-A (just like he did at the end of last year), Padres shortstop Leo De Vries is leading the High-A Midwest
Check out the best -- and wackiest -- Minor League promos happening in May
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Orioles' Honeycutt joins The Show Before the Show
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
MiLB podcast coming LIVE to a Somerset this June
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
New ballparks highlight 2025 MiLB road trip stops
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Minor League Baseball partners with TruGreen
FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- TruGreen, the nation's leading lawn care treatment provider, is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Minor League Baseball that includes activations across all 120 clubs, a makeover of the home dugout in each market, sponsorship of select MiLB team grounds crews, and a new initiative called
Podcast explains why the Syracuse Mets are looking for Jim Morrison
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Dash im-prom-tu promo and Mets' Suero joins the podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Minor League Baseball partners with Circle K
Minor League Baseball announced a new national partnership with Circle K, which will see the convenience store giant become the “Official Convenience Store of Minor League Baseball.” During the 2025 season, the Circle K brand will be integrated into the MiLB in-stadium experience through in-game video board assets at most
These 15 moments led to season No. 15 of Minor League road trips
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
MiLB podcast crew makes Opening Day predictions
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Everything you need to know for Triple-A Opening Day
First, there was big league Opening Day. Now it's Triple-A's turn to take the spotlight. The Minor League season opens Friday when the Triple-A International League and Pacific Coast League seasons get underway for the first of MiLB’s two Opening Days. And right out of the gates, several of baseball's
Top prospects to watch at Triple-A -- one for each organization
It’s Triple-A’s turn up to bat on Friday. The regular season begins for the Minor Leagues’ highest level one day after the action starts on the Major League side. Fun fact: it’ll be the earliest start to a Minor League season since 1951 (March 27). Double-A, High-A and Single-A will
Here's where every Top 100 prospect is expected to start the season
The 2025 Opening Day prospect roster announcements began last week when the Cubs informed Matt Shaw (MLB No. 19) he was making the trip overseas to compete in the Tokyo Series. Roki Sasaki (No. 1) also received the good news, but his assignment was much less of a surprise. Now
Nationals prospect King joins MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Here are the 2025 All-Spring Breakout Teams
Fifteen games, several jersey swaps and countless highlights later, the second edition of Spring Breakout has officially concluded – and it lived up to its billing. Of the 16 contests sprinkled across four days, only one game (Dodgers vs. Cubs) was rained out. Coincidentally, the Cubs were one of two