Fireflies Lose Amid On-Field High Jinx

After ejections and a stolen base, Columbia falls 2-1

By John Kocsis Jr.

May 19, 2023

COLUMBIA, SC – The Fireflies fell 2-1 to the Fredericksburg Nationals after one wild sixth inning Friday Night at Virginia Credit Union Stadium. Following a successful Shane Panzini (L, 1-3) pick-off to record the second out of the inning, Nationals development coach Carmelo Jaime was ejected and, on his way,

COLUMBIA, SC – The Fireflies fell 2-1 to the Fredericksburg Nationals after one wild sixth inning Friday Night at Virginia Credit Union Stadium.

Following a successful Shane Panzini (L, 1-3) pick-off to record the second out of the inning, Nationals development coach Carmelo Jaime was ejected and, on his way, out of the stadium, he proceeded to take third base with him. In the ensuing delay, Nationals (12-23) manager Jake Lowery was also ejected.

Next, the Frednats rattled off four consecutive singles, allowing Paul Witt and Brady House, who started the two out rally, to score, upending Columbia 2-1. The runs ended a 23.1 inning scoreless stretch for the Fireflies pitching staff.

Panzini had only allowed one hit up to that point. He didn’t record another out and Chazz Martinez recorded the final out of the sixth. Martinez worked a scoreless seventh and Wesley Scott spun a scoreless eighth to keep Fredericksburg at bay, but the Fireflies bats couldn’t mount a comeback from rehabber Tyler Yankosky (S, 3). Yankosky set aside the final six batters, getting Roger Leyton to break his bat, inducing a double play to end the game.

The Fireflies started the scoring in the top of the third. Levi Usher drew a one out walk and advanced to third on a single to right from Omar Florentino. That set up a double steal that plated Usher and gave Columbia a 1-0 lead.

Columbia kicks off the weekend in Fredericksburg, starting Saturday’s contest at Virginia Credit Union Stadium at 6:05 pm. RHP David Sandlin (3-0, 3.31 ERA) gets the nod for Columbia and Fredericksburg sends RHP Bryan Sanchez (1-1, 7.64 ERA) to the hill.

Columbia returns home Tuesday, May 23 to start a six-game series with the Charleston RiverDogs. The week marks the return of Copa de la Diversíon weekend presented by Southern Recipe Small Batch Pork Rinds, where the Fireflies will become Los Chiccarones de Columbia for the weekend. Friday, the Fireflies will give away a soccer scarf for the first 1,000 fans through the gates thanks to Southern Recipe Small Batch and Saturday, we’ll have a fantastic fireworks display. Tickets are still available at FirefliesTickets.com.