Rally Short-Lived as Fireflies Lose in Walk-Off Fashion

COLUMBIA, SC – The Fireflies bats rallied late Wednesday night, taking the lead in the top of the ninth, but falling 7-6 in 10 innings to the Carolina Mudcats at Five County Stadium.

The Mudcats didn’t need a hit in extras to win the game. Yadher Areinamo started the inning placed on second. He moved to third on a wild pitch with one out and with two outs and an 0-1 count on Dylan O’Rae, Areinamo scampered home on Samuel Valerio’s (L, 1-5) second wild pitch of the inning. The run will be unearned as it was placed on second.

Columbia’s rally restarted in the seventh inning with who else but Trevor Werner. Columbia’s third baseman laced a double to right-center field to start the inning. Later, Roger Leyton laced a double to right field to plate Werner and bring the Fireflies within one, as they trailed 5-4 at the stretch.

In the ninth, Werner started out with a single, before Hayden Dunhurst walked. After an unsuccessful double steal attempt, there was one out and a runner at second for Roger Leyton, who dribbled a single up the gut to score Omar Hernandez, who was pinch hitting for Dunhurst to tie the game 5-5. Next, Daniel Vazquez got a single of his own to score Leyton and push Columbia in front 6-5.

The lead didn’t last long as Jesus Chirinos rocked his fourth homer of the season over the right field wall, tying the game and sending us to extras.

Carolina jumped on Ben Hernandez in the first inning, scoring five runs, highlighted by RBI hits from Luke Adams, Yadher Areinamo and Jace Avina. The frame pushed the Mudcats in front 5-2. Hernandez left the game after spinning 3.2 innings and using 88 pitches, but did not allow a run after the first inning.

The bullpen was able to rally together to keep Carolina at bay. Mack Anglin started with 2.1 scoreless innings on the hill and he stranded two inherited runners in the fourth. Next, Jacob Widener made his Carolina League debut. The big lefty worked a 1-2-3 frame with a ground out and two strikeouts.

The Fireflies jumped on the board first again Wednesday night. Daniel Vazquez doubled to lead off the game and then after back-to-back walks, Austin Charles sent a flair single to left to score Vazquez and Carson Roccaforte to give Columbia a 2-0 lead.

The next inning, Trevor Werner sent a blast beyond the left field wall to start off the frame. The 432’ homer was his third in the first 11 innings of this series. The round tripper cut Carolina’s lead to 5-3.

Columbia continues their series with the Carolina Mudcats tomorrow night at 7 pm at Five County Stadium. RHP Shane Panzini (3-9, 4.68 ERA) takes the hill for Columbia and Carolina counters with RHP Yorman Galindez (1-0, 2.25 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.