Tuesday’s dominant win

In the first full week back after the break, the Columbia Fireflies (15-13), took four of six from the visiting Lynchburg Hillcats. Columbia took the first game Tuesday night 13-1 behind a great outing from Logan Martin. Martin (2-3) earned the win giving up one run over 5 innings, a Jasion Chourio homer (4) in the top of the first inning. The 12th round pick in 2023 struck out seven, giving up three hits and surrendering no walks. The offense produced 12 RBI, led by Lizandro Rodriguez who had 4, all on a seventh inning grand slam, and Hyungchan Um’s 3. Um was 2 for 4 with walk on the night.

Thursday’s double header, including walk-off win

Wednesday’s game was postponed due to weather, so a double header was set for Thursday which brought Hiro Wyatt’s Fireflies debut. Wyatt (0-1) struggled in his first outing giving up 3 walks and 2 hits that turned into 3 earned runs in 4 innings of work and Columbia fell 4-1 in game 1 of the night. Game 2 of the night would be the first of three Fireflies’ walk-off wins over the next four games. Austin Charles got it started with 1 out and a 1-1 count single to center in the bottom of the 7th to plate Brennon McNair. The would be winning run Ryan Cepero was thrown out at the plate and after an error on the throw down to third in an attempt to get an advancing Blake Mitchell. Mitchell would pop up from his slide and sprint down the line to cross the plate for the 4-3 win.

Friday’s extra-inning thriller, weekend split

More of the same on Friday, another 4-3 victory for Columbia. The winning run came in the bottom of the 11th off the bat of Erick Torres to plate Diego Guzman from second. Lynchburg would take Saturday’s game 5-3 in 10 innings behind a good outing from their 6’6″ lefty Alex Clemmey, the 58th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. Clemmey went 4.2 innings with 7 K and 2 BB, allowing only 3 hits. Columbia would get back to their winning ways on Sunday. With runners on the corners and 2 outs, Brennon McNair took the first pitch he saw to left field scoring Derlin Figueroa. Mcnair was 2-4 on the day while Charles went 4-4 with a walk.

What’s next

After the exciting and wild week at Segra Park, the team hits the road to take on the Woodpeckers in Fayetteville. The Fireflies’ coaching staff has these guys ready to battle day-in and day-out. They proved it by taking 3 of 4 walk off/extra inning games this past week, boasting an impressive 19 one runs on the year. #LetsGlow

Image credit: Pete Paguaga/Hearst Connecticut