Fireflies Win Third Straight at SRP Park

For Immediate Release

GreenJackets Media Contact: Mitchell Speltz

(803) 349-9467

[email protected]

GreenJackets Lose Heartbreaker in 11 Innings

Fireflies Win Third Straight at SRP Park

NORTH AUGUSTA, SC: Game three between the Augusta GreenJackets (2-4) and Columbia Fireflies (5-1) needed extra innings but Augusta would fall short in 11 frames as the Fireflies edged them out once again 8-7 on Thursday night.

The GreenJackets used the home run ball early once again to take the lead as Geraldo Quintero went deep way over the right wall to give Augusta a 2-0 lead on his two-run shot.

The Fireflies would come back with a run of their own in the next half inning to cut the deficit in half on a two-out, RBI double by Erick Pena to make it a 2-1 game.

Columbia would then tie the game at two in the third on an single by Daniel Vazquez to score Jean Ramirez.

Augusta retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning on a sacrifice fly by Brandol Mezquita that scored Geraldo Quintero for the second time to put the GreenJackets back in front 3-2.

In the fifth, the Fireflies took their first lead of the night with a run coming home on a fielders choice, followed by a two-run double by Enrique Valdez to cap off a three-run fifth with Columbia now ahead 5-3.

However, the GreenJackets rallied for a three-run frame of their own in the sixth starting with an RBI single by Connor Blair to score Quintero for the third time and make it a 5-4 game. The next batter was Mahki Backstrom who tied the game on a bases-loaded walk to even the score at five. Kadon Morton kept the line moving with an infield single to score another run as Stephen Paolini touched home to move Augusta back into the lead at 6-5.

The score would remain that way into the eighth inning until the Fireflies tied it up on an RBI double by Jean Ramirez with two outs to knot the score at six apiece.

Neither team would score again in regulation as the game then proceeded to a tenth inning. The Fireflies would scratch across a run with two out on a wild pitch to score Guillermo Quintana and give Columbia the lead back at 7-6.

But the GreenJackets had an answer as they scored immediately in the bottom of the inning on a throwing error that allowed Cal Conley to score and tie the game once again at seven. Augusta would be unable to score the rest of the inning as they left the winning run at third base.

Columbia scored once again on a wild pitch in the top of the eleventh, putting the pressure again on the GreenJackets to match them. Augusta put the tying run to third but Jack Aldrich got Kadon Morton to ground out to end the game, earning the Fireflies a third straight win at SRP Park by the final of 8-7 in 11 innings.

Luis Barroso (2-3) earned the victory for Columbia with Juan Mateo (4-1) taking the loss for the GreenJackets. Jack Aldrich (1) was awarded the save for the Fireflies.

Despite a difficult defeat, Augusta got notable performances offensively from Geraldo Quintero who finished the night with two hits, including his two-run homer in the first while he also scored three runs. Cal Conley scored twice for the GreenJackets with Connor Blair, Mahki Backstrom, and Kadon Morton all picking up RBIs in the sixth inning.

Augusta will look to avoid their fourth straight loss at home to the Fireflies on Friday night as AJ Smith-Shawver takes the mound for the GreenJackets versus Luinder Avila for Columbia with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m.

The GreenJackets continue their incredible week of promotions at SRP Park against the Columbia Fireflies (Kansas City Royals) with Red, White, and Beer Thirsty Thursday to conclude the month of June. On Friday, July begins with another Braves Buzzfest in addition to House GreenJackets night where the first 1,000 fans can receive a house flag sponsored by Savanah River Brewing Company. Independence weekend at SRP Park is going to be big with two of the best fireworks shows of the year on both Saturday and Sunday night with the White Claw Pregame Concert Series prior to both games with Brandon Bower performing before Saturday's game, followed by Guns for Hire on Sunday.

About SRP Park/Augusta GreenJackets

The Augusta GreenJackets are the Carolina League Single-A Affiliate of the Atlanta Braves playing in the state of the art SRP Park located in North Augusta, SC. The GreenJackets 2022 Game and promotional schedule is out and available online at www.Green-JacketsBaseball.com. 2022 Augusta GreenJackets season seat memberships are on sale now. To learn more about the benefits and to get in on the action, visit www.gjmembers.comor call (803) 349-WINS (9467).

SRP Park is the anchor piece of Riverside Village, a live, work, "playball" development which includes apartment living, retail, restaurants, class "A" office space, and a Crowne Plaza Hotel and Conference Center. To learn more about SRP Park and hosting events and availability, visit www.thesrppark.com.

-GreenJackets -