Walk-Off Hit Lifts Mudcats Past Fireflies

ZEBULON, N.C. - Juan Baez singled past a drawn in infield allowing Cooper Pratt to score to lift the Carolina Mudcats to a 2-1 victory in 12 innings over the Columbia Fireflies at Five County Stadium on Wednesday night.

Columbia (12-10) had a chance to win the game in the top of the 12^th when Austin Charles singled off Carolina (17-6) pitcher Jeison Pena (W, 1-0) but as Daniel Vazquez raced home Mudcat centerfielder Yophery Rodriguez fired a strike to home plate and was able to nab Vazquez and keep the game deadlocked before Baez won the game in the bottom of the inning with the single off Ben Hernandez (L, 0-1).

The Fireflies took the lead in the first inning as Erick Torres was hit by a pitch on the first offering of the game and scored on a two-out single by Derlin Figueroa to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage.

Columbia’s lead would hold up until the 6^th inning when the Mudcats finally collected their first hit and first run against Fireflies right hander Felix Arronde. David Garcia led off the inning getting hit by a pitch and after a walk to Reidy Mercado, Daniel Guilarte broke the ice with the first hit for the Mudcats. Garcia would score the tying run on a two-out wild pitch.

Carolina starter Daniel Corniel did not factor into the decision but was stellar allowing just one run and scattering four hits over six innings of work.

The series continues Thursday at Five County Stadium as the Mudcats send right-hander Jesus Rivero (2-1, 4.11) to the mound and the Fireflies counter with south paw Hunter Patterson (1-1, 1.62). Tickets are available by going to CarolinaMudcats.com or calling 919-269-2287.

Single-game tickets, season ticket packages, mini plans, group options, as well as luxury suite packages and DRB Homes Sky Lounge reservations in the US Foods Club Level are also still available now by visiting www.carolinamudcats.com, by calling (919) 269-2287, and by visiting the Five County Stadium front office in Zebulon.

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