10 K Start for Mozzicato Not Enough in 3-1 Loss

COLUMBIA, SC – The Fireflies got on the board in the first, snapping a 24-inning scoreless spell, but weren’t able to ride the momentum as they lost 3-1 to the Down East Wood Ducks Thursday night at Grainger Stadium.

Down East (26-18) had another big fifth inning Thursday night. Jesus Moreno got the Wood Ducks started with a lead-off homer in the fifth, his first of the season. Next, Zion Bannister drew a walk, advanced to third on a throwing error from a pick-off attempt and then scored on a fielding error from Junior Calderon which gave Down East a 2-1 lead.

The Wood Ducks added some insurance off Cooper McKeehan when Yosy Galan launched his seventh homer of the season over the left field wall in the 8^th to push the lead to 3-1.

The Fireflies (28-20) got things started off quickly offensively. Jean Ramirez started the game with a double to right-center on the first pitch Joseph Montalvo threw. He came around on a Brett Squires fielder’s choice to end Columbia’s scoreless streak at 24 innings and give the Fireflies a 1-0 lead.

Frank Mozzicato had an excellent outing, lasting five frames and punching out 10 hitters. He gave up two runs in the fifth, only one of which was an earned run before leaving the game after throwing a season-high 89 pitches.

Columbia closes out the work week at Grainger Stadium tomorrow night at 7 pm. RHP Shane Panzini (1-3, 3.43 ERA) gets the ball for Columbia and Down East counters with RHP Brock Porter (0-0, 1.07 ERA).

The Fireflies will return home to Segra Park June 6 to welcome the Salem Red Sox to town. The Fireflies will host RiverBanks Zoo and Garden Night with a Carter Jensen Lion Bobblehead Giveaway presented by Safe Federal Credit Union Friday, June 9. Tickets are still available at FirefliesTickets.com.