Rough Start Leads to 12-2 Loss

COLUMBIA, SC – The Fireflies allowed seven runs in the third inning, leading to a 12-2 loss to the Carolina Mudcats Friday night at Segra Park.

Oscar Rayo highlighted the game for Columbia. After the Fireflies trailed 11-2, he came out and worked 5.2 innings without allowing a run all while punching out a career-best eight hitters. It was the young lefty’s best performance in the Carolina League and helped his ERA run down to 1.61 this season.

The Fireflies also got a strong offensive performance from catcher Hayden Dunhurst. He hit a two run homer to right field in the second inning to bring the Fireflies within a pair and finished the night 2-3 adding a double later in the evening.

Carolina broke through in the first inning. After Tayden Hall hit a lead-off double, Samuel Valerio walked the next two batters to load the bases and then hit Jose Sibrian to plate Hall and give the Mudcats a 1-0 lead. Later in the inning, Valerio tossed a wild pitch and Carolina took a 2-0 led as Luis Lara scored.

In the second, the Mudcats added another pair on Kay-Lan Nicasia’s fifth homer of the season to go up 4-0.

After the Fireflies countered, Carolina ran away with it, scoring seven runs on Wesley Scott, who faced nine batters, allowing five hits, walking a pair and seeing seven batters come around to score while just recording one out. At the end of the third inning, Carolina led 11-2.

Columbia kicks off their weekend with a 6:05 pm tilt with the Carolina Mudcats at Segra Park. LHP Ryan Ramsey (1-0, 0.40 ERA) takes the hill for the Fireflies and Carolina counters with RHP Logan Henderson (2-2, 2.76 ERA).

Tomorrow night is Marvel Defender of the Diamond Night at Segra Park! The Fireflies will wear special-themed logos and play under their new Marvel logo! You can also visit with Spiderman and Black Widow. Tickets are available at FirefliesTickets.com.