Fireflies Sweep Doubleheader, Stay in First Place
COLUMBIA, SC – The Columbia Fireflies swept the Augusta GreenJackets, 4-3 and 9-4, in a series opening doubleheader at SRP Park Wednesday night to maintain a share of first place in the Carolina League South Division second-half standings. Game One The long ball had a major impact on the first
COLUMBIA, SC – The Columbia Fireflies swept the Augusta GreenJackets, 4-3 and 9-4, in a series opening doubleheader at SRP Park Wednesday night to maintain a share of first place in the Carolina League South Division second-half standings.
Game One
The long ball had a major impact on the first game of the twin bill as the Fireflies launched three homers in a 4-3 victory over the Augusta GreenJackets.
Enrique Valdez got the Fireflies (4-1) on the board when he launched his fifth homer of the season to tie the game 1-1in the top of the second, but after that, David Hollie stole the show. The outfielder smacked homers in the fourth and the sixth to push Columbia lead to 4-2 heading into the final frame. Hollie is the first Fireflies player to have a two-homer game since Burle Dixon accomplished the feat July 22, 2021 vs Augusta.
The pitching staff was incredible in the first game, allowing only five hits in the seven-inning affair. Frank Mozzicato received a no-decision after allowing a pair of runs in 3.2 innings before handing the ball to Tim Holdgrafer (W, 1-0). Holdgrafer was outstanding, allowing one run off three hits, two of which came in the seventh en route to his first victory in affiliated baseball.
Game Two
The Fireflies scored six in the sixth-inning as they swept the Augusta GreenJackets (2-3) following an 8-4 win in game two of their doubleheader.
The sixth inning started with a double from David Hollie, and then saw the Fireflies get six runs off five hits and a pair of walks. River Town capped off the frame, with a two-run single to right that plated Joshua Rivera and Jean Ramirez to give the Fireflies two valuable runs of insurance.
The middle of the lineup was extraordinarily effective as Enrique Valdez, Guillermo Quintana and Erick Peña all had a pair of hits in the game. Valdez scored three runs, including an insurance run off the bat of Omar Florentino to put Columbia up 9-4 in the seventh.
The GreenJackets helped Columbia out in the second game of the series. In the second inning, Erick Peña and Guillermo Quintana executed a double steal and a throwing error from Victor De Hoyos allowed Columbia to jump on the scoreboard, as they took a 1-0 lead.
The Fireflies second run of the game also came off a throwing error, as Cal Conley air mailed a ball to first that allowed Enrique Valdez to come around and score.
The Fireflies continue their series with the GreenJackets tomorrow night at SRP Park at 7:05 pm. RHP Shane Panzini (0-1, 3.38 ERA) toes the rubber for Columbia and Augusta counters with RHP James Acuna (1-1, 2.30 ERA).
Independence Day is right around the corner! Have a blast at Segra Park the whole weekend with two of the largest fireworks displays in the history of Segra Park being blasted off! We'll start the weekend with Fireworks with the Phil, presented by Prisma Health July 2 and we'll keep the party going as the Fireflies take on the Myrtle Beach Pelicans July 4. Tickets are available at FirefliesTickets.com.