Columbia No-Hit for First Time Since 2017
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Columbia Fireflies couldn’t scratch the hit column in a nine-inning game against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Wednesday night as they lost 5-0 at Segra Park. The combined no-hitter marked the first against the Columbia Fireflies (22-18) since Nick Fanti and Trevor Bettencourt no-hit the Fireflies for
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Columbia Fireflies couldn’t scratch the hit column in a nine-inning game against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Wednesday night as they lost 5-0 at Segra Park.
The combined no-hitter marked the first against the Columbia Fireflies (22-18) since Nick Fanti and Trevor Bettencourt no-hit the Fireflies for the Lakewood BlueClaws May 6, 2017.
Meanwhile, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (20-23) recorded their first combined no-hitter since May 19, 2012. DJ Herz (W, 1-2) walked away with his first professional win after spinning five innings and punching out seven Fireflies before handing the ball to Jeremiah Estrada. Estrada blew past Columbia with 2.2 innings from the pen. He matched Herz with seven strikeouts. Bailey Reid recorded one out in the eighth and Danis Correa closed out the ballgame wringing up a pair of batters in the ninth. The four pitchers combined to walk seven batters and one hit batter, but stranded all the Fireflies baserunners without allowing a run to score. It was the sixth time the Fireflies have been shutout in 2021.
The Fireflies had a strong start from Adrian Alcantara (L, 2-3). The righty went five innings and allowed two runs to score while striking out two and allowing five hits.
Myrtle Beach started the scoring in the second inning. Pablo Aliendo placed a lead-off base knock to left and after a Jonathan Sierra hit, came around to score when Luis Verdugo grounded into a fielder’s choice.
Sierra added on to the Pelicans lead in the fourth with a sacrifice fly in the fourth that plated Matt Mervis. Jordan Nwogu came home in the top of the seventh off a Fabian Pertuz knock to right to put the Pelicans in front 3-0. Nathan Webb allowed a pair of runs to score in the ninth off a Pertuz bullet, his first homer of the season, that found its way beyond the left field fence.
The Fireflies continue their series with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans tomorrow night at 7:05 at Segra Park. RHP Ben Hernandez (1-2, 4.13 ERA) gets the nod for Columbia. Meanwhile, LHP Didier Vargas (2-2, 5.06 ERA) starts for Myrtle Beach.
Tomorrow is a Budweiser Thirsty Thursday at Segra Park. Fans can purchase $2 pints of Bud Light at the Budweiser Bow Tie Bar and all draft beer and fountain sodas will be half-priced all evening long. It’s also Pride Night at Segra Park. Come enjoy a game in a fun, relaxed environment where everyone is welcome. Tickets are available at FirefliesTickets.com.