Walk-Off Winner Closes Out First-Half of 2023

COLUMBIA, SC – The Fireflies bats came to life late, as Roger Leyton singled to right to score Daniel Vazquez to earn their fifth walk-off win of the season in game two, splitting their doubleheader Thursday night.

Game 1

Fredericksburg was able to take game one 5-1, scoring all their runs after the two-day break between the first three innings and the final six.

Fredericksburg upended Columbia in the top of the fifth. After Marcus Olivarez walked the first two batters of the inning, Roismar Quintana hit a single to load the bases. After a bases loaded hit batter tied the game, Daylin Lile hit a two RBI double to push Fredericksburg to a 3-1 lead.

The FredNats added a pair of runs in the sixth after Adrian Solano walked Brandon Bossiere and Wilmer Perez to set up Armando Cruz and Johnathan Thomas who had back-to-back RBI singles to bring Fredericksburg’s lead to 5-1.

Columbia started off the scoring in the bottom of the third. Brennon McNair was left at first when the game was suspended and after a stolen base, was able to score from an Omar Hernandez single to give Columbia a 1-0 lead.

Game 2

The Fireflies bats weren’t done there. In the bottom of the eighth, Daniel Vazquez stole third base after being placed on second and Roger Leyton singled to right to score him and give the Fireflies a 3-2 win. Columbia closed out the first half 35-30.

Cooper McKeehan (W, 7-1) earned his league-leading seventh victory as his spun two scoreless innings to keep Columbia tied with Fredericksburg. Chase Wallace also added two scoreless innings from the pen.

The Fireflies were able to strike back in the bottom of the fourth. Dionmy Salon was hit by a pitch to start off the frame. Next, Hayden Dunhurst reached on a fielding error to move Salon to third and set the table for Brennon McNair. Columbia’s second baseman singled through the middle to plate Salon and make it a one-run game. Before the first pitch of the next at-bat, Jarlin Susana balked, allowing Dunhurst to come around to tie the game making it a battle of the bullpens after he left.

Daylen Lile led off game two with his sixth homer of the season to start the game with Fredericksburg in front. The next inning, he came up again with Zion Pettigrew at third and slapped a single up the middle to increase the Nationals lead to 2-0.

Tomorrow night starts of Negro League Celebration Weekend at Segra Park. The Fireflies will welcome Larry Doby Jr. to help celebrate the history of the Negro Leagues. Tickets are available at FirefliesTickets.com.