Bats Buoy Eighth-Straight Win

COLUMBIA, SC – The Fireflies beat up on the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 12-3 to claim their eighth-consecutive win. It’s their longest winning streak of the season and the Fireflies are just one game shy of tying their franchise record.

Columbia’s bats started rolling in the fifth inning. Daniel Vazquez drew a lead-off walk and David Hollie reached via an error to set the table for Lizandro Rodriguez, who stroked a double to get Columbia on the board. Jean Ramirez rolled a sacrifice bunt up the first base line to cut Kannapolis’s lead to 3-2. Next, Omar Hernandez reached safely on a fielder’s choice that scored Rodriguez to tie the game.

The Fireflies took the lead behind a Gavin Cross triple and Carter Jensen singled in the next at-bat to end the inning with the Fireflies in-front 5-3.

It didn’t take long for Columbia to pour it on. After another Daniel Vazquez walk, Hollie tripled to double up Kannapolis 6-3. Later, Jean Ramirez launched his third homer of the season to push Columbia’s lead to 9-3.

After allowing three runs in the first inning, Ben Hernandez settled down, setting the tone for the bullpen with five strikeouts his next three innings without allowing a run. John McMillon (W, 1-2) added a scoreless frame before turning the ball over to Wander Arias (S, 4), who was masterful in four scoreless frames as he earned his fourth save of the year.

In the eighth inning, Liam Jenkins struggled to throw strikes, walking four and hitting one batter, resulting in three Fireflies runs to close out the scoring for the evening at 12-3.

The Cannon Ballers jumped out of the gates quickly following the 35-minute delay to start Friday night’s game. They utilized two walks, a hit by pitch and a pair of hits to score three runs in the top of the first. The inning was highlighted by by a two-RBI triple from Jacob Burke that closed out the scoring, giving Kannapolis a 3-0 lead before the Fireflies came to the plate.

The Fireflies continue their series with the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers tomorrow night at Segra Park at 6:05 pm. RHP Shane Panzini (0-2, 4.50 ERA) takes the slab for Columbia and Kannapolis counters with RHP Hunter Dollander (3-3, 3.72 ERA).

Tomorrow is Faith and Family Night presented by Columbia International University. The Fireflies will welcome World Series Winner and former University of South Carolina Baseball player Mookie Wilson will make an appearance and speak prior to a fireworks show. If that weren’t enough, the Fireflies will also welcome the Zooperstars! to Segra Park. Tickets are available at FirefliesTickets.com.