Werner Smashes a Pair of Homers in 8-5 Win

COLUMBIA, SC – Trevor Werner kick-started the Fireflies with two homers and four RBI in the first three innings, as Columbia scored seven in the first to win 8-5 over Carolina Tuesday night at Five County Stadium.

The Fireflies (24-25) jumped out with a reckless abandon in the first inning. Daniel Vazquez, Carson Roccaforte and Spencer Nivens drew walks to lead-off the game and then Brett Squires was plunked to break the scoreless tie. They set the table for Lizandro Rodriguez to lace a two RBI double to right-center to push Columbia’s lead to 3-0. Next, Omar Hernandez hit an RBI single to send up Trevor Werner. Werner dealt the knock-out punch, belting his first homer of the season off the scoreboard in left, scoring three and leaving Columbia with a 7-0 lead by the end of the first inning.

In the third, Werner came through again, hammering his second homer of the game to left, this one 430 feet from home to increase Columbia’s lead to 8-0. Werner has seven RBI in his last two games after his career-best four RBI game Tuesday. Werner is the third Fireflies player this season to hit multiple homers in a single game, joining Brett Squires and David Hollie. Squires did it most recently August 12 vs Charleston.

Henry Williams (W, 2-0) had an outstanding game for the Fireflies. The righty entered the game up 7-0 and didn’t let it phase him as he pushed through five frames, punching out a career-best six hitters. Columbia’s starter allowed a pair of runs before handing the ball to the bullpen.

Yadher Areinamo scored both runs off Williams, one in the third and one in the fifth.

Marcus Olivarez had some trouble with the Mudcats (29-20) in the eighth inning. He recorded two outs, but allowed two runs to come across on two hits and two walks and with the tying run at the plate, Columbia elected to go to the pen again to stem the rally. Nicholas Regalado struck out Luke Adams to end the inning with runners at second and third to preserve Columbia’s 8-5 lead heading into the ninth.

The first arm out of the bullpen was Chazz Martinez, who worked a pair of innings, allowing just one run. Luke Adams doubled with one out and came around on a Luis Castillo single to cut Columbia’s lead to 8-3.

Columbia continues their series with the Carolina Mudcats tomorrow night at 7 pm. RHP Ben Hernandez (1-2, 2.79 ERA) takes the hill for Columbia and Carolina counters with RHP Jess Rivero (1-1, 2.85 ERA).

The Fireflies will come home for one last homestand at Segra Park in 2023 as they face the Delmarva Shorebirds August 29-September 3. We’ll host Retro Video Game Night, a Budweiser Thirsty Thursday and will wrap up the season with a Sunday Funday. Tickets are available at FirefliesTickets.com.