Fireflies Rally Late as Cannon Ballers Implode
COLUMBIA, S.C. – After falling behind early, the Columbia Fireflies offense found their footing, scoring seven runs between the fourth and seventh frames to vault over the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 7-2 Wednesday night at Atrium Health Ballpark. The Fireflies (8-6) comeback started in the fourth when Tucker Bradley hit a
COLUMBIA, S.C. – After falling behind early, the Columbia Fireflies offense found their footing, scoring seven runs between the fourth and seventh frames to vault over the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 7-2 Wednesday night at Atrium Health Ballpark.
The Fireflies (8-6) comeback started in the fourth when Tucker Bradley hit a base knock to left to score Omar Hernandez. Darryl Collins tied the game 2-2 in the fifth with a liner that plated Rubendy Jaquez.
Collins finished the night with a career-high four hits on the night. The last Fireflies hitter to have a four hit game was Shervyen Newton July 5, 2019 at Hickory. The lefty is riding a seven-game hitting streak that began May 7. In that time, he is 15-36 (.416) seven RBI.
After another Bradley RBI single in the sixth to put Columbia in front 3-2, Collins broke things open in the seventh with an RBI knock to set the table for Kale Emshoff. The designated hitter doubled to score Juan Carlos Negret and Collins and give the Fireflies a four-run lead over Kannapolis (1-13). Matthew Schmidt added a single to plate Emshoff to cap off the four-run inning.
Jake Means was able to reach on an error that scored Jaquez to close out the scoring in the eighth and give Columbia an 8-2 lead. Martin Carrasco (L, 0-1) is on the hook for the loss after entering a tie ball game and allowing five runs to score, three of which were earned.
Meanwhile, Ben Hernandez got a no-decision after handing the ball off 3.1 innings into the game after surrendering two runs. The bullpen was flawless for Columbia. Patrick Smith (W, 1-0), Christian Cosby and Luis De Avila combined to toss 5.2 scoreless frames. The bullpen has now recorded a 3.22 ERA through 78.1 innings this season.
The Fireflies are back at it against the Cannon Ballers Thursday at 7 pm at Atrium Health Ballpark. The southpaw Rylan Kaufman (0-1, 30.00 ERA) gets the ball for the Fireflies and Kannapolis counters with lefty Bailey Horn (0-0, 0.00 ERA).
Columbia returns home Tuesday, May 25 to start a six-game set with the Augusta GreenJackets, who they split the opening series of the season with. The homestand is filled with promotions and starts off with a Miller Lite $2 Tuesday. Fans can purchase hot dogs, popcorn, fountain soda and 12 oz cans of Miller Lite for just $2 at Segra Park all evening long. To purchase tickets, visit FirefliesTickets.com.