No Lane for Victory in Columbia’s 4-3 Loss

Tying run is thrown out at the plate in the ninth in Fayetteville

By John Kocsis Jr.

June 16, 2023

COLUMBIA, SC – The Fireflies sent the tying run home in the top of the ninth, but Daniel Vazquez was tagged out by Sandro Gaston as Columbia fell 4-3 to the Fayetteville Woodpeckers Friday night in Fayetteville. Columbia got on the board in the sixth. After Dionmy Salon slapped a

COLUMBIA, SC – The Fireflies sent the tying run home in the top of the ninth, but Daniel Vazquez was tagged out by Sandro Gaston as Columbia fell 4-3 to the Fayetteville Woodpeckers Friday night in Fayetteville.

Columbia got on the board in the sixth. After Dionmy Salon slapped a one out single to get aboard, Brennon McNair lifted a double off the center field, scoring Salon from first to bring the score to 4-1.

The rally continued in the seventh. The Fireflies loaded the bases after Lizandro Rodriguez was hit by a pitch, Roger Leyton reached on a throwing error from the reliever Jose Nodal and Daniel Vazquez walked. Dionmy Salon hit a two out RBI single to bring in Rodriguez to make the score 4-2 and then Erick Peña legged out an infield single that plated Leyton to bring Columbia within one.

Zach Cole got things started again Friday night, this time hitting a round-tripper to right, his ninth of the campaign to lead-off the home half of the first and give Fayetteville a 1-0 lead.

Fayetteville was able to add another in the fourth inning. Ricardo Balogh smoked a one out triple down the right field line and came around on a wild pitch from Shane Panzini to bring the Woodpeckers lead to 2-0. In the fifth, the Woodpeckers, got another triple from Balogh, this time plating Leosdany Molina just moments after a wild pitch brought home Zach Cole to bring their lead to 4-0.

Columbia kicks-off their weekend with a 5:05 match-up against the Fayetteville Woodpeckers at Segra Stadium. RHP David Sandlin (4-1, 3.19 ERA) takes the rubber for Columbia and RHP Tyler Guilfoil (1-1, 2.08 ERA) counters for the Woodpeckers.

The Fireflies will return home to Segra Park June 20 and they’ll stay home through July 3 as the Fireflies battle the Fredericksburg Nationals and the Augusta GreenJackets. The homestand will house our Negro League Celebration Weekend where we’ll have a special appearance from Larry Doby Jr. amongst others and will conclude with our Independence Day Celebration with a massive fireworks show. Tickets are available at FirefliesTickets.com.