Fireflies Dominate in Opener Against RiverDogs

COLUMBIA, SC – The Columbia Fireflies came together and topped the RiverDogs 9-3 to open up their series at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Ballpark Tuesday evening.

It all started with a stellar start from Luinder Avila (W, 1-0) who allowed only a pair of hits and fanned five in as many innings in his Low-A East debut. The Fireflies closed out the ballgame behind the arms of Luis De Avila who went two scoreless before handing the ball to Dario Peralta, who closed out the ballgame for the Fireflies (43-47). Peralta allowed the only three runs to score, off a two-run homer from Tanner Murray and an RBI single from Beau Brundage in the ninth.

Columbia’s runs slowly trickled in early in the game, until they were able to pounce for five runs in the top of the seventh. It was an inning that began with four walks from Nomar Rojas and Graeme Stinson, the fourth of which placed the Fireflies in front 4-0. Following that, Herard Gonzalez, Omar Hernandez and Matthew Schmidt all hit singles to push the Fireflies’ lead to 8-0 before the end of the frame.

The final run of the game scored as Juan Carlos Negret grounded into a double play to score Diego Hernandez.

The Fireflies were able to capitalize on several Charleston (63-27) errors early on bunt attempts from Diego Hernandez and Gage Hughes that both ended up scoring runners. Charleston committed three errors in the contest that led to four unearned runs scoring.

Tomorrow the Fireflies will play a doubleheader at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Ballpark beginning at 5:05 pm. LHP Emilio Marquez. (6-1, 1.53 ERA) will get the ball for game one and the Fireflies will send RHP Heribert Garcia (0-0, 0.00 ERA) to the bump for game two. Charleston will pick LHP Ben Brecht (3-2, 3.10 ERA) for game one and southpaw Franklin DaCosta (2-0, 1.80 ERA) for game two.

The Fireflies return home to Segra Park for a six-game homestand with the Charleston RiverDogs August 31. It all starts with a Miller Lite $2 Tuesday where hot dogs, popcorn, fountain soda and 12 oz cans of Miller Lite are all only $2. You can purchase tickets at FirefliesTickets.com.