Fireflies Win with Five-Run Ninth-Inning Rally
ROME, GA - Nick Conti had appeared in just five games for the Fireflies before Friday's contest in Rome. With all the pressure on the second baseman's shoulders, and with his team tied with the Braves in the ninth, Conti delivered a two-run triple to give Columbia a 7-5 lead
ROME, GA - Nick Conti had appeared in just five games for the Fireflies before Friday's contest in Rome. With all the pressure on the second baseman's shoulders, and with his team tied with the Braves in the ninth, Conti delivered a two-run triple to give Columbia a 7-5 lead it would not relinquish. The Fireflies scored five times in the ninth to come back and beat Rome in the opener.
It was the second time this season the Fireflies rallied from at least three down in the ninth to win. On June 24, Columbia (27-33, 51-75) erased a four-run ninth-inning deficit in Lexington to win, 8-6.
And Conti was just one of the ninth-inning heroes on Friday. The inning began with the visitors down three and with Braves reliever
After a mound visit, Vodnik was set to face
Columbia never led until the ninth on Friday. Rome scored first and in bulk in the fourth inning. Fireflies starter
Acosta showed some resolve, though, by retiring three of the next four hitters. Rome wound up batting around and plating four in the inning but it could've been worse. Acosta then closed out his outing with a scoreless fifth.
Columbia punched right back, too, in the top of the fifth. The Fireflies tallied consecutive singles against starter
That brought up Molina. His speed helped him beat out a potential 6-4-3 double play. It also earned him an RBI when Granadillo scored from third. Quite nearly the same play occurred moments later when Conti clocked a ground ball to
Columbia fell behind by three the next inning.
Taveras earned the win thanks to Columbia's ninth-inning rally. Taveras roared back and shut out the Braves in the seventh and eighth innings.
And, yes, Dansby Swanson did play in Friday's game against the Fireflies. Swanson, Atlanta's starting shortstop, and Braves outfielder
Game two of the series between Columbia and Rome is scheduled for 6:05 ET on Saturday at State Mutual Stadium. Right-hander
You can tune into the action at FirefliesLiveStream.com.