Fireflies Earn Twin Bill Split to Open Series

COLUMBIA, SC – The Fireflies split the series-opening twin bill, shutting out the RiverDogs 2-0 in game one and falling in extras 5-4 in the second game Tuesday evening at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Ballpark.

The Fireflies (36-36) battled until the end of the back-and-forth affair against the RiverDogs (51-21) who have the best record in the Low-A East League.

Game 1

The Fireflies and RiverDogs renewed their contest from June 12 that was delayed after 18 minutes of play in the bottom of the second inning to start out Tuesday’s doubleheader. Columbia’s pitching staff was in control in the 2-0 victory, the Fireflies fifth shutout of the season.

Anderson Paulino (W, 3-2) played hero for Columbia in this one. The bullpen arm came out after Matt Stil spun one scoreless inning back on June 12. Paulino worked six innings without allowing a hit and fanning half a dozen RiverDogs to get the ball to Zack Phillips (S, 1) who completed the shutout with a pair of one-hit innings to allow the Fireflies to take game one.

Columbia’s bats started early in this one. In the third inning (which was the first inning where Columbia batted Tuesday evening), Matt Schmidt bounced a single up the middle, advanced on a wild pitch from Jose Lopez (2-3) and then scored from a Diego Hernandez dribbler to right to break the scoreless tie 45 days after the game began.

The next inning, Burle Dixon led off the frame with a walk followed by a Felix Familia base knock to set the table for Herard Gonzalez placed the ball in center for the Fireflies to go up 2-0 in the fourth.

Game 2

Neither team was able to score in the eighth, but after the Fireflies stranded the go-ahead run 90 feet away in the ninth, Charleston was able to bring one home on a single to right to win 5-4.

It was Luis De Avila (L, 4-3) on the bump when Oslevis Basabe singled to score Matt Dyer and end the doubleheader.

In the top of the seventh, the Fireflies loaded the bases with no one out. Then Gage Hughes came through, slapping a single to right to score Rubendy Jaquez to put the Fireflies in front 4-3. Charleston came back to tie it in the home half though.

Columbia tied the game in the top of the sixth when Juan Carlos Negret smoked a double to left to score Herard Gonzalez. That left the game up to the bullpen.

The Fireflies got off to a quick start for a second consecutive game. In the first inning, after Hughes hit a one-out single, Gonzalez laced a triple to right to score the runner and put Columbia on top 1-0.

This time though, the RiverDogs answered with Heriberto Hernandez’s eighth homer of the season, a two-run shot in the second to change the lead. That also didn’t last long as Tyler Tolbert came up the next frame and tied the game with a sacrifice fly to score Burle Dixon.

Tomorrow, the Fireflies continue their series with the RiverDogs at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Ballpark at 7:05 pm. Southpaw Rylan Kaufman (2-3, 4.71 ERA) gets the nod for Columbia and Charleston sends RHP Seth Johnson (3-4, 4.62 ERA) to the bump.

Following this trek to Charleston, the Fireflies will play 12 games in 13 days at Segra Park beginning Augusta 3. During that period, they will play the Myrtle Beach Pelicans and Fayetteville Woodpeckers. During the stretch, the team will celebrate Copa De La Diversión, the 13th in the Upside Down and Faith and Family Night. For tickets, visit FirefliesTickets.com.