Two strong starts from Reyes and Wyatt
The Columbia Fireflies were on the road in Fayetteville this week and split the series 3-3 with the hometown Woodpeckers. Columbia took the first game of the series 5-2 behind a six-inning outing from Emmanuel Reyes who gave up two hits and one earned run, on a 5th inning homer from Nehomer Ochoa Jr. (9). Nicholas Regalado gets the win with Elvis Novas picking up the save (3). A similar outcome in game two as the Fireflies pick up the win 5-3, behind a great second outing from Hiro Wyatt. Wyatt (1-1) earned the win after posting five shutout innings, allowing two hits and fanning six while giving up one walk.
Two narrow losses on Thursday and Friday
Columbia managed just three runs on six hits in Thursday night’s 4-3 loss. However, Hyungchan Um tallied his 2nd homer of the year in Columbia. The Fireflies went up early in Friday’s contest but fell just short in a game that saw fourteen runs in the first four and a half innings. That would be all the scoring until the Woodpeckers second baseman Waner Luciano’s double (12) plated Alberto Hernandez to give Fayetteville the walk-off win in the bottom of the nineth.
Sunday double-header split
Saturday’s game was postponed due to weather and was played as part of a double header on Sunday. After a leadoff walk to Erick Torres, Blake Mitchell took a 1-1 pitch to right field for his 13th homerun of the year giving the visiting Fireflies an early lead in game one. It was a back-and-forth contest through the first four innings until Columbia posted a six-run fifth inning. Erick Peña added two more in the bottom of the 8th, his 10th long ball of the year, but Columbia would ultimately fall short in the bottom of the 9th, allowing the Woodpeckers to score four to walk it off for a second time during the series and secure a 13-12 win. Columbia would bounce back to win game two 6-0 behind a great start form Emmanuel Reyes, earning him the win. Reyes (5-3) held the Woodpeckers hitless through his five innings of work, striking out four and walking two on the day. Austin Charles homered in the 3rd, his 8th of the year, and Columbia held on to split the series. They head back home only two games out of first place in the Carolina League South.
Hitter of the Week
Derlin Figueroa – 6 for 20, 4 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 5 BB, 9 K, 1 SB
Season stats: .229/.307/.364, .671 OPS
Pitcher of the Week
Emmanuel Reyes – 11.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 9 K
Season stats: 3.41 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, .222 OBA, 2.45 K/BB
What’s next?
Columbia (53-46) will host the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (56-45) in the upcoming series which features a few fun theme nights: First Responders Night as the Columbia Fireflies become the Carolina Grits, Carolina Hurricanes night with a Fireflies inspired hockey jersey giveaway for the first 1,000 fans in attendance, and Paw Patrol Night with a game worn jersey auction. Get your tickets early and head down to Segra Park this week! #LetsGlow
Image credit: Columbia Fireflies