Fireflies Surrender Final Four Runs in Extra Inning Loss

COLUMBIA, SC – The Fireflies gave up the final four runs after adding six in the first three innings as they lost to the Carolina Mudcats 7-6 in 10 innings Thursday night.

Ben Wereski (L, 4-5) escaped a jam for Wander Arias (BS, 1) in the eighth, stranding an inherited runner, but the offense couldn’t score the placed runner in the 10th. After Carolina loaded the base paths with one out in the 10th, Hedbert Perez lofted a single to shallow center field to win the game. The Fireflies are now 8-7 in extra-innings contests this season.

Last night, late offense made the difference for Columbia, but tonight, the bats kicked off early. In the first inning four Fireflies drew walks to take a 1-0 lead. After Carolina tied the game in the home half of the inning, David Hollie was hit by a pitch and came around to score on an RBI double from Yeudi Advincola, allowing the Fireflies to retake the lead. Later, Omar Hernandez grounded out to score Advincola from third, pushing the Fireflies in front 3-1.

Carolina would once again answer the bell with a pair of runs off Ben Kudrna in the bottom of the second. Then Columbia drove ahead with a three-spot in the third. Alexander Vallecillo allowed Cayden Wallace, Guillermo Quintana and David Hollie to start the third with three consecutive singles. Hollie’s base knock, plated Wallace and Quintana and later, Advincola came back up and drove a one out single to left to bring Hollie home and put the Fireflies on top 6-3.

After the second inning, Columbia’s starter, Kudrna, settled down, spinning three scoreless frames before handing the ball off to the bullpen. Wander Arias gave up one run in the sixth before covering the seventh with no issues. In the eighth, the righty allowed Carolina to get right back into the game. After walking the first two hitters Arias faced, he allowed a single off the bat of Eduarqui Fernandez to bring the Mudcats within a run. With two outs, Alberis Ferrer was able to roll a single up the middle, scoring Fernandez to tie the game 6-6.

Columbia continues their series with the Carolina Mudcats tomorrow night at 7 pm at Five County Stadium. RHP Ben Hernandez (1-6, 4.44 ERA) toes the rubber for Columbia and Carolina counters with RHP Max Lazar is making his second rehab appearance for the Carolina Mudcats.

The Fireflies return to Segra Park for their final homestand of the season September 6-11 to face the Charleston RiverDogs as they fight for their first playoff berth in franchise history. Join the Fireflies for the final fireworks show of the year, a t-shirt giveaway and Wands and Wizards night to close out the regular season! Tickets are available at FirefliesTickets.com.