Bullpen Stymies Late Rally, Fireflies win 3-2
CHARLESTON, SC – The Fireflies kept Charleston off the board until the ninth inning as they won 3-2 over the Charleston RiverDogs Friday evening at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park to even their series at two games a piece heading into the weekend. Felix Arronde (W, 2-0) continued his magnificent
CHARLESTON, SC – The Fireflies kept Charleston off the board until the ninth inning as they won 3-2 over the Charleston RiverDogs Friday evening at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park to even their series at two games a piece heading into the weekend.
Felix Arronde (W, 2-0) continued his magnificent start to the 2024 season. The righty didn’t allow a hit until the fourth inning and left the game after five innings where he allowed a single hit and one walk while punching out four hitters. On the season, Arronde has allowed one run across 14 innings while punching out 14 opposing batters. He has allowed eight baserunners on the stretch (0.67 WHIP).
The first arm out of the bullpen Yimi Presinal worked two scoreless innings to keep Columbia in front heading into the eighth. Luis Polanco (S, 1) spun a scoreless eighth then ran into some trouble in the ninth inning. Angel Mateo homered in the ninth to make it a one-run game, but Polanco induced back-to-back ground outs to close out the game with Columbia leading 3-2.
Blake Mitchell started the scoring in the first inning. He pulled his second homer of the season, a solo shot over the right field wall to give the Firefiles a 1-0 lead. The Fireflies loaded the bases with a pair of outs in the inning, but were unable to add to their lead.
Columbia added another run in the fifth inning. Mitchell, Daniel Vazquez and Austin Charles hit three-consecutive two out singles to plate Mitchell and push Columbia’s lead to 2-0.
In the top of the ninth, the Fireflies added some insurance. Chris Brito drew a lead-off walk and Gabriel Silva singled to set the table for Jhonny Perdomo with two outs. Then Perdomo dribbled the ball up the middle to push Columbia’s lead to 3-0.
Columbia continues their series with Charleston tomorrow evening at 6:05 pm at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park. Columbia sends LHP Hunter Patteson (1-0, 0.00 ERA) to the hill and Charleston counters with RHP Owen Wild (0-0, 3.24 ERA).
The Fireflies return home April 23 for a six-game set with the Augusta GreenJackets at Segra Park. Friday, April 26 will be the inaugural Carolina Grits game at Segra Park. We’re celebrating with a Grits bobble spoon giveaway. Get your tickets at ColumbiaFireflies.com.