Fireflies Fall Short 7-3 Sunday

COLUMBIA, SC – The Fireflies fell short in their finale with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, losing 7-4 at Segra Park Sunday evening.

The difference came in the top of the sixth inning, when the Pelicans were able to score a trio of runs to edge ahead 5-2. Three straight Pelicans (8-7) were able to have RBI hits off Ryan Hennen (L, 2-2). It started with a Matt Warkentin single, then a Malcom Quintero double and finally a Jacob Wetzel sacrifice fly gave Myrtle Beach a three-run lead.

Warkentin was able to come through again in the seventh with a two-run double that plated Kevin Made and Ezequiel Pagan to push Myrtle Beach in front 7-2.

Columbia (11-4) was able to scratch the scoreboard first again in the first frame. Daniel Vazquez hit a one out single and eventually came around on a wild pitch from Pelicans starter Porter Hodge to break the scoreless tie.

The Fireflies were able to add a run of insurance in the second off a host of Myrtle Beach mistakes. Dayton Dooney drew a lead-off walk after being behind 1-2 in the count. He moved to second on a wild pitch, advanced to third on a throwing error from Hodge and came around to score when Gary Camarillo soared a sacrifice fly to right field, granting Columbia a 2-0 lead.

Columbia scored their final run of the game off Tyler Santana (W, 7-0). Jean Ramirez singled to score Camarillo from second base to cut Myrtle Beach’s lead to four.

The next two frames, Myrtle Beach was able to match Columbia, scoring a pair of runs, neither of which were earned, off Frank Mozzicato, who spun 3.2 innings and punched out four Myrtle Beach Pelicans before handing the ball to Ryan Hennen to close out the game.

The Fireflies head on the road following the off day to play a six-game set with the Down East Wood Ducks at Grainger Stadium. Tuesday’s game will begin at 6 pm. Neither team has announced their starters for the series yet.

Columbia heads home July 22-24 after the All-Star Break for a weekend series. The Fireflies will have a t-shirt giveaway, a fireworks show and will host Night Under the Big Top, bringing the circus lifestyle to Segra Park. For tickets, visit FirefliesTickets.com.