Two Four-Run Innings Lead to 8-1 Win

COLUMBIA, SC – The Fireflies used a pair of four-run innings and five scoreless frames from Shane Panzini to beat the Myrtle Beach Pelicans 8-1 Thursday Night at Segra Park.

Shane Panzini worked an excellent outing. The righty spun five scoreless innings while punching out seven Pelicans batters. Panzini allowed a pair of hits and a pair of walks as he held Myrtle Beach at bay Thursday evening.

Columbia broke through in the bottom of the second inning. Austin Charles started the thrilling inning with one out single. Next, Daniel Vazquez shot a line drive to right to push the runners to first and second. Lizandro Rodriguez reached on a throwing error from the pitcher Luis Rujano to load the bases with one out for Trevor Werner.

Werner smashed the baseball to right-center for a bases clearing triple that gave Columbia a 3-0 lead. Next, Jared Dickey grounded out to score Werner and push the lead to 4-0 before the end of the second.

The Fireflies shut the door on Myrtle Beach in the bottom of the seventh. With Kenyi Perez on the hill, the Fireflies drew four walks. Jared Dickey reached on an error and Omar Hernandez and Carson Roccaforte were able to push runs across on the inning. Columbia hung four while Perez only recorded one out. It stretched Columbia’s lead to 8-1.

Ben Sears was the first reliever out of the pen. The righty spun a pair of innings and allowed the lone run of the game. After that, Eduardo Herrera worked the last two innings without allowing a run to snap the Fireflies six-game skid.

Andy Garriola scored the Pelicans only run. He homered to left with one out in the seventh to cut Columbia’s lead to 4-1.

The Fireflies continue their series with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans tomorrow night at Segra Park at 7:05 pm. RHP Emmanuel Reyes (0-3, 4.80 ERA) takes the ball for Columbia and Myrtle Beach counters with RHP Kevin Valdez (2-1, 2.70 ERA).

Tomorrow night is our Ben Kudrna Throwing Fire Bobblehead Giveaway presented by SAFE Federal Credit Union. The first 1,000 fans through the gates at Segra Park at 6 pm will receive the bobblehead, so make sure to get to the stadium early! Tickets are available at FirefliesTickets.com.