Exposito, Floyd Homer but Fireflies Rally to Even Series

Exposito, Floyd Homer but Fireflies Rally to Even SeriesColumbia overcomes two-run deficit with seventh inning rally to even the series

*Columbia, SC* – The Augusta GreenJackets (Atlanta Braves) homered twice, but a bases-loaded double in the seventh gave the Columbia Fireflies (Kansas City Royals) a comeback win. Columbia (4-1, 39-31) got a career outing from starting pitcher Ben Kudrna, and despite a 3-1 lead in the top of the seventh Augusta (2-3, 33-37) could not hold on for victory.

The GreenJackets wasted no time in jumping on the Columbia starter Ben Kudrna in the first. Justin Janas singled and E.J. Exposito lined a homer to left to give Augusta a 2-0 lead. Columbia picked up a run in the bottom of the frame after a passed ball scored Austin Charles to half the GreenJackets lead. Jhancarlos Lara, who started for Augusta after his 10-strikeout performance last week, held the Fireflies off the scoreboard for the duration of his outing, going four innings and striking out five.

Augusta was stifled at the plate by Kurdrna, at one point having 11 men sent down in a row, as the Columbia hurler ended the game with a career high 6.2 innings of work and 10 strikeouts. Both teams remained scoreless from the second inning to the top of the seventh, before Francisco Floyd hit a home run that cleared the entire stadium to make it 3-1 Augusta. Elison Joseph pitched two scoreless innings in the fifth and sixth, before Nolan Martinez entered in the seventh. However, the Fireflies loaded the bases with two outs, before Charles doubled off the left-field wall to score all three runs and give the home team the lead.

Ben Sears pitched a scoreless eighth for the Fireflies, before Cooper McKeehan picked up his league-leading ninth save by getting Augusta in order in the final frame. Tomorrow, Owen Murphy will look to build upon his 12-strikeout performance last Friday in a matchup of top prospects against lefty Frank Mozzicato of the Fireflies with first pitch at 7:05.

The GreenJackets continue their road trip tomorrow at Columbia (Kansas City Royals), before returning to SRP Park for a 4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza! For tickets and more, go to greenjacketsbaseball.com.

About SRP Park/Augusta GreenJackets

The Augusta GreenJackets are the Single-A affiliate Atlanta Braves. 2023 Augusta GreenJackets Full, Half and 20-game season seat memberships are on sale now. To learn more about the benefits and to lock in your seat to cheer on the Braves of tomorrow, visit www.gjmembers.com or call (803) 349-WINS (9467). For tickets, team merchandise, and more information visit www.greenjacketsbaseball.com.

SRP Park is the anchor piece of Riverside Village, a live, work, “playball" development which includes apartment living, retail, restaurants, class "A" office space, and a Crowne Plaza Hotel and Conference Center. To learn more about SRP Park and hosting events and availability, visit www.thesrppark.com.

###