Augusta Loses Ninth Inning Lead in Heartbreaking Defeat
July 3, 2022 - Carolina League (CarL)
Augusta GreenJackets News Release
NORTH AUGUSTA, SC: The Augusta GreenJackets (2-7) Independence weekend homestand concluded in heartbreaking fashion as the Columbia Fireflies (8-1) rallied in the ninth inning to hand the GreenJakets a stunning, 5-4 defeat.
The Fireflies jumped on Augusta by grabbing another first-inning lead on an RBI double by River Town to make it 1-0 Columbia after an inning of play.
The GreenJackets came back and took their first lead in the bottom of the second on a two-run, opposite-field home run by Stephen Paolini as he knocked one over the left-field wall to give Augusta a 2-1 lead.
In the third, the Fireflies took the lead right back on a sacrifice fly by River Town followed by a successful first-and-third steal to push another run across and put Columbia back in front 3-2.
In the bottom half of the inning, Geraldo Quintero quickly tied things up with a solo home run to deep right to even the game at three apiece.
The game would remain tied at three into the sixth inning when the GreenJakets broke the stalemate on a two-out, RBI triple by Braulio Vasquez to give Augusta a lead of 4-3.
It would remain 4-3 all the way into the ninth inning. With the Fireflies down to their last gasp, the visitors tied the game with two outs on a single by Omar Hernandez to knot the game up at four. Carter Jensen then gave his team the lead back on an infield single to make it a 5-4 game in favor of Columbia.
In the bottom of the ninth, Caleb Durbin was hit by a pitch to start the inning, but Marlin Willis retired the next three batters to slam the door on the GreenJackets as the Fireflies completed the six-game sweep with a 5-4 win.
Marlin Willis (2-1) earned the win by recording the final six outs while Juan Mateo (4-2) suffered the defeat for Augusta.
The offense was led by Stephen Paolini and Geraldo Quintero who each went yard during the game. Adam Zebrowski reached base three times with a double and two walks with a run scored while Braulio Vasquez picked up RBIs in consecutive games on his go-ahead triple in the sixth.
The GreenJackets will look for better fortunes on the road as they travel to take on the Charleston RiverDogs on the Fourth of July at 6:35 p.m. at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Ballpark.
Carolina League Stories from July 3, 2022
- Raabe Rips Walk-Off Single in 4-3 Victory in Extras - Carolina Mudcats
- Ninth Inning Rally Ends RiverDogs' Four-Game Skid - Charleston RiverDogs
- Augusta Loses Ninth Inning Lead in Heartbreaking Defeat - Augusta GreenJackets
- Fireflies Rally in Ninth to Complete Sweep - Columbia Fireflies
- Hillcats Win 6-2 - Lynchburg Hillcats
- FredNats Use Long Ball to Sweep Delmarva - Fredericksburg Nationals
- Late Inning Surge Again Sees 'Birds Fall to FredNats in Series Finale - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Mitch Bratt Shoves - Down East Wood Ducks
- Roster Update: RHP Miguel Guerrero Transferred to Carolina - Carolina Mudcats
- Columbia Keeps Streak Alive vs August - Columbia Fireflies
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