Bats Come Alive as Fireflies Clinch Series vs Kannapolis

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Columbia Fireflies utilized a three-run fourth and seventh to set down the Kannpolis Cannon Ballers 10-4 and clinch a series win Saturday evening at Atrium Health Ballpark.

Jake Means was the star of the show for the Fireflies (10-7). The designated hitter launched the Fireflies first homer of the series while finishing the evening 2-5 with three RBI. Means now has a team-leading three homers on the season and has driven in 11 RBI this season.

After falling behind 2-0 in the third inning, the bats woke up with a three-run fourth. It all started as Herard Gonzalez ripped a single to right off reliever Bailey Horn (L, 0-1) to score Rubendy Jaquez and usher Maikel Garcia to third. With runners on the corners, Darryl Collins had his own base knock to bring home Garcia. Means closed out the inning with a liner to left to score Gonzalez and give the Fireflies their first lead of the game, 3-2.

In the fifth, Garcia stepped to the dish with runners on second and third and popped a sacrifice fly to score Matt Schmidt. In the seventh, Garcia had another opportunity with Schmidt 90 feet away and he was able to keep the line moving with a base hit that scored the first baseman. After that, Darryl Collins had an RBI knock to bring home Hernandez again to push the Fireflies in front 8-2. The Fireflies final run came when Juan Carlos Negret reached on the Cannon Ballers (2-15) fifth error of the game. The Cannon Ballers commited six errors on the night and have 33 errors on the season now, which is third-most in Class-A baseball.

After giving up two early runs, Delvin Capellan settled down to get through four frames before handing the ball to Anderson Paulino (W, 2-1). The righty worked 3.1 innings with five strikeouts before leaving the game with the bases loaded and one out in the eighth. Walter Pennington came in and did what he does best. The southpaw fanned James Beard and then induced a flyout to right field to strand all three runners he inherited. This season he has inherited seven runners and he has not allowed one to score.

The Fireflies wrap up their series with the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers tomorrow at 12:30 pm. For some daytime fun, RHP Matt Stil (2-0, 3.75 ERA) gets the nod for Columbia and Kannapolis counters with RHP Chase Solesky (0-2, 6.23 ERA).

Columbia returns home Tuesday, May 25 to start a six-game set with the Augusta GreenJackets, who they split the opening series of the season with. The homestand is filled with promotions and starts off with a Miller Lite $2 Tuesday. Fans can purchase hot dogs, popcorn, fountain soda and 12 oz cans of Miller Lite for just $2 at Segra Park all evening long. To purchase tickets, visit FirefliesTickets.com.