Everyone Reaches in Columbia’s 9-1 Win

Zebulon, NC – The Fireflies bats got back on track, beating up on the Carolina Mudcats 9-1 as each Fireflies hitter reached base safely at least once Friday night at Five County Stadium.

Columbia (13-11) vaulted into the lead in the fourth inning. Austin Charles was hit by a pitch and then Dionmy Salon, Jhonny Perdomo and Brennon McNair drew walks to load the bases and plate the second run of the game for Milo Rushford. The outfielder sliced a double to center doubling Columbia’s lead by plating Salon and Perdomo and moving McNair to third. Later, Erick Torres and Blake Mitchell added sacrifice flies, moving Columbia’s big lead to 6-0.

Erick Torres broke the scoreless tie in the top of the first. He lined a double to right to start the game and advanced 90 feet on a wild pitch that allowed him to come around on a Blake Mitchell ground out to make the score 1-0.

The Fireflies stayed hot at the plate in the fifth inning. Chris Brito led-off the frame with a two bagger to left. Later in the inning, Jhonny Perdomo worked a base knock to score Brito and draw Columbia’s lead to 7-1. Rushford came up again and blasted a double over the head of center fielder Yophery Rodriguez to score Perdomo and Brennon McNair to increase Columbia’s lead to 9-1.

That double gave Rushford his third and fourth RBI of the game. He joins Austin Charles, Perdomo and Erick Pena, who have also driven in four in a single game this season.

Blake Wolters started the games for the Fireflies. He worked four frames, allowing a single run while striking out four before handing the ball to the bullpen. Only one additional arm was required. Ethan Bosacker (W, 2-1) spun the final five frames without allowing a run in Columbia’s big win.

Josh Knoth (L, 0-2), pitched well, allowing just one run in three innings, but was on the hook for the loss after Osbriel Mogollon allowed eight earned runs over the next pair of innings for the Mudcats (16-9).

The club continues their series with the Mudcats tomorrow evening at 5 pm. RHP Logan Martin (0-0, 6.23 ERA) toes the rubber for Columbia and Carolina counters with RHP Yorman Galindez (0-0, 2.08 ERA).

Columbia returns home for 13 games in 13 days beginning May 7. The Fireflies welcome The Salem Red Sox and the Charleston RiverDogs to Segra Park during the run ending May 19. The club has tons of fun promotions on tap, including Star Wars Night May 11 and a Frank Mozzicato Bobblehead Giveaway May 10. Buy your tickets today at ColumbiaFireflies.com.