Four-Run Ninth, Stellar Start Give Fireflies 8-4 Win

COLUMBIA, SC – The Fireflies added four runs in the ninth to top the RiverDogs 8-4 Friday evening, snapping a three-game skid at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Ballpark.

Columbia went ahead in the top of the eighth. Saul Garza was hit by a pitch with two outs in the frame, then moved into scoring position on a wild pitch from Steffon Moore. Herard Gonzalez slapped a single up the gut that brought home Garza to put the Fireflies in front 4-3.

The offense finally came together and sprinted out front in the ninth inning. Burle Dixon led things off with a double before Tyler Tolbert laced a single to left that scored Dixon to push Columbia’s lead to two. Next, Juan Carlos Negret launched his league-leading 20th homer of the season to make the score 7-3. Later, Saul Garza would double and come around on a wild pitch to put Columbia in front 8-4.

The RiverDogs tied the game in the sixth. Columbia tried to stretch Rylan Kaufman out for a quality start, but after five incredible innings, the southpaw faltered, giving up two of the three hits he ceded in the game in the frame. Kipp Rollings inherited those runners and let them score, along with one, unearned run that tied the game 3-3.

Kaufman’s night was about more than just limiting the RiverDogs to three hits, he punched out a 2021 Fireflies-best nine hitters, matching Emilio Marquez, the only other Fireflies pitcher to fan nine.

The Fireflies opened up the scoring in the fourth inning. After a one out base knock, Tyler Tolbert stole his 48th and 49th bags of the season to put himself 90 feet away from scoring with Juan Carlos Negret on the base paths. Negret drew a walk before a Saul Garza infield single broke the scoreless tie. Herard Gonzalez then slapped a two out pitch to third and reached on an error that plated Negret which gave the Fireflies a 2-0 lead.

Columbia opens up the weekend with a 6:05 contest at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Ballpark tomorrow evening. RHP Adrian Alcantara (4-6, 5.11 ERA) toes the rubber for the Fireflies while the RiverDogs send LHP Ian Seymour (1-0, 2.97 ERA) to the bump.

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.