Late Offense Pushes Columbia to 3-1 Victory

CHARLESTON, SC – The Fireflies added some late runs behind another stellar pitching performance to take their third-consecutive game over the Charleston RiverDogs 3-1 Saturday night at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park.

The Fireflies edged ahead in the top of the eighth inning. Erick Torres reached on a fielder’s choice and moved to second after Blake Mitchell singled. Next, Daniel Vazquez bounced out to pitcher Wooyeoul Shin to move runners to second and third with a pair of outs. Derlin Figueroa didn’t even need to put the ball into play. Shin threw a wild pitch in the dirt that plated Torres to put Columbia on top 2-1. Last Tuesday, Torres scored on a wild pitch from Garrett Brown to start off the Fireflies series vs the Pelicans, so it is the second time he has scored the go-ahead run late off a wild pitch this season.

Hunter Patteson continued his hot start to the season Saturday. The southpaw went five frames, allowing a single run off three hits and five punchouts. The reigning Carolina League Pitcher of the Week now has a 0.64 ERA this season and has 17 strikeouts in 14 innings.

The Fireflies went with Eduardo Herrera (W, 1-0) as the first arm out of the pen. He escaped a bases loaded jam in the seventh to work a pair of scoreless frames before handing the ball off to righty Jarold Rosado (S, 1). Rosado got into a jam in the ninth, but was able to strand the tying run in scoring position as he posted two goose eggs on the night.

Columbia added some insurance in the top of the ninth. Lizandro Rodriguez bounced into a fielder’s choice, but Chris Brito was able to beat the 4-2 throw home to push Columbia’s lead to 3-1. After that, the Fireflies loaded the bases with one out, but Torres bounced into a double play to send it to the bottom of the ninth.

The RiverDogs hopped on the scoreboard first in the fifth inning. Noah Myers blooped a hustle double just beyond the reach of shortstop Daniel Vazquez. Next, Fireflies starter Hunter Patteson tripped off the mound during a pitch, balking Myers to third base. Then Ricardo Gonzalez roped a single to left, scoring Myers and breaking the scoreless tie.

The lead didn’t last long though. Brennon McNair got things going in the top of the sixth. He lasered a double off the left field wall to set the table for Blake Mitchell. Mitchell muscled a two-bagger of his own into the right field corner to score McNair and tie the game 1-1.

Columbia closes out their series with the Charleston RiverDogs tomorrow evening at 5:05 pm. RHP Blake Wolters (0-0, 10.80 ERA) takes the ball for the second time this series for the Fireflies and Charleston counters with RHP Hayden Snelsire (1-0, 0.00 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.