Fireflies Drop Game Allowing a Pair in the Ninth in 3-2 Loss

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Columbia Fireflies had allowed only a single hit prior to the eighth inning, but the Charleston RiverDogs rallied to take Wednesday night’s game 3-2 at Segra Park.

Nathan Webb (BS, 2; L, 0-2) came into the ninth trying to protect a Fireflies (27-25) 2-1 lead. After inducing a pop-out to start the inning, the righty allowed back-to-back singles to place runners on the corners for Charleston (38-16). Heriberto Hernandez stepped to the dish and tied the game with a sacrifice fly to center that plated Garrett Hiott. Then, with Jonathan Embry at the dish, webb tried to pick-off Nick Schnell at first and was called for a balk. That balk scored the go-ahead run from third to flip the score to 3-2 in favor of Charleston.

Alexander Ovalles hit a homer in the eighth to start the rally for the RiverDogs, and prior to that the Fireflies had allowed just a double who they gave up to Ovalles in the sixth.

The Fireflies got an excellent start to their night on the bump. Matt Stil faced the minimum through four innings, punching out seven batters and allowing one walk. After that, he handed the ball to Emilio Marquez, who offered four one-run innings with a handful of strikeouts.

Tyler Tolbert was able to give the Fireflies two-run blast in the second to score Felix Familia and break the scoreless tie in the fourth inning. That lead held until the ninth.

The Fireflies and the RiverDogs meet again tomorrow night at 7:05 pm at Segra Park. RHP Anderson Paulino (3-2, 4.85 ERA) gets the nod for Columbia and Charleston sends lefty Jose Lopez (3-3, 6.06 ERA) to the mound.

Tomorrow a Budweiser Thirsty Thursday at Segra Park. Fans can enjoy half-priced draft beer and fountain sodas and if you venture out to the Budweiser Bow Tie Bar, fans can purchase a pint of Bud Light for only $2.