Charles Clears the Bases Late in 4-3 Win
June 29, 2023 - Carolina League (CarL)
Columbia Fireflies News Release
Columbia Fireflies' Austin Charles at bat
(Columbia Fireflies)
COLUMBIA, SC - The Fireflies used another seventh inning rally, as Austin Charles cleared the bases with a double Thursday night to help the Fireflies beat the Augusta GreenJackets 4-3 at Segra Park.
The Fireflies used some two out magic to get ahead in the seventh inning. Brennon McNair singled with two outs to start the party. Then Levi Usher got hit by a pitch to put the tying run on. Jean Ramirez worked a walk to send up Austin Charles. Columbia's third baseman pummeled a ball off the left field wall to clear the bases and give Columbia their first lead of the series, 4-3.
Ben Kudrna earned his second quality start of the season, spinning 6.2 innings and punching out a career-high 10 hitters. The righty allowed two runs in the first, but after the second, he set down 14-consecutive hitters en route to not allowing a run in his last five frames.
Next, Ben Sears (W, 3-1) was able to spin 1.1 innings, punching out three hitters to keep the Fireflies in front. Finally, Cooper McKeehan (S, 9) worked another 1-2-3 ninth to earn his Carolina League-leading ninth save. McKeehan is now tied with 2022 Fireflies reliever Luis Barroso for the fifth-most saves in a single season in Fireflies history.
Augusta got things started in a hurry. Justin Janas hit a flare single up the middle and was on the basepaths for E.J. Exposito's sixth homer of the season as Augusta took a 2-0 lead to the bottom of the first inning.
GreenJackets starter Jhancarlos Lara worked four, two hit innings, allowing just one run before he handed the ball off to his bullpen.
The Fireflies started a rally in the bottom of the first inning. Austin Charles drew a walk and was able to roam around the bases, stealing second, advancing to third on a wild pitch and then scoring on a passed ball that cut Augusta's lead to 2-1.
The Fireflies continue their series with the Augusta GreenJackets tomorrow night at Segra Park at 7:05 pm. LHP Frank Mozzicato (2-4, 2.30 ERA) takes the ball for the Fireflies and Augusta counters with RHP Owen Murphy (2-2, 4.65 ERA).
Tomorrow night the Fireflies are giving away a t-shirt with a design that was voted on by the fans presented by Velocity. The first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive the t-shirt. Tickets are available at FirefliesTickets.com.
Images from this story
 Columbia Fireflies' Austin Charles at bat |
Carolina League Stories from June 29, 2023
- Mudcats Held to Two Hits Again in Loss to Wood Ducks - Carolina Mudcats
- RiverDogs Drop Second Straight to Pelicans - Charleston RiverDogs
- Five Extra-Base Hits Push Pelicans Over RiverDogs 6-1 - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Woodpeckers Held to Three Hits in Shutout Loss to Ballers - Fayetteville Woodpeckers
- Shorebirds Even Series with Shutout Victory - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Exposito, Floyd Homer But Fireflies Rally to Even Series - Augusta GreenJackets
- Charles Clears the Bases Late in 4-3 Win - Columbia Fireflies
- Hillcats Blanked by Shorebirds 8-0 - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Nats Smother Salem 2-0 - Fredericksburg Nationals
- Patriotic Homestand Begins with Independence Day Celebration - Charleston RiverDogs
- Columbia Fireflies Game Notes 6.29 vs Augusta - Columbia Fireflies
- Dominant Down East Pitching - Down East Wood Ducks
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