Columbia Fireflies Game Notes 4.3 at Hickory
Published on April 3, 2026 under Carolina League (CarL)
Columbia Fireflies News Release
The Fireflies continue their series with the Hickory Crawdads tonight at L.P. Frans Stadium at 7 pm. RHP Blake Wolters gets the ball for Columbia and Hickory counters with righty Jesus Lafalaise.
The Fireflies Home Opener is Tuesday, April 7 at 7:05 pm against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Join the Fireflies at Segra Park for Neon night, including a neon rally towel giveaway Friday, April 10, 8-Bit Baseball Bash with a post-game fireworks show Saturday, April 11 and our first Budweiser Thirsty Thursday of the year with $1.50 hot dogs and Budweiser products. Buy your tickets now at FirefliesTickets.com.
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VANEK BLAST NOT ENOUGH AS FIREFLIES FALL 5-4: The Fireflies jumped out to a 4-2 lead, but couldn't hold off the Hickory Crawdads in a 5-4 loss at L.P. Frans Stadium. The Crawdads rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh to take a late lead. Hector Osorio led the frame off with a single before Jose Gutierrez got a strikeout and was replaced by Henson Leal (BS, 1; L, 0-1). Leal hit a batter and walked the next batter before giving up a two out single to Angel Arredondo to push the Crawdads in front 5-4.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Last year, the Fireflies clinched their first playoff berth after finishing the first half 36-30 in order to earn a South Division title. In the first round of the playoffs, Columbia swept Myrtle Beach in a best-of-three series. In the second round of the playoffs, the Fireflies met the Lynchburg Hillcats and fell in the third game of the series, falling one game shy of the club's first championship. This year's roster features 17 returnees from the 2025 roster, including Blake Wolters and Kendry Chourio, who both started one of the three Championship Series games for the Fireflies.
SOME SERIOUS TALENT: The Fireflies have six of the Royals 30 top prospects on their Opening Day roster according to MLB Pipeline. Blake Wolters, Kendry Chourio and Michael Lombardi are the arms in the top 30 and Yandel Ricardo, Sean Gamble and Josh Hammond are the bats that are representing the list for Columbia. Wolters, Chourio and Ricardo are all returning to Columbia after spending time with the team during the 2025 season.
REPPING THE DRAFT: The Fireflies are welcoming nine members of the 2025 draft to bolster the roster, including each of the Royals' top three selections. Sean Gamble was selected 23rd overall in the first round. Josh Hammond was selected 28th overall as a Prospect Promotion Incentive pick the Royals were granted after Bobby Witt Jr. finished in the top three of AL MVP voting in 2024. Michael Lombardi was selected 61st overall in the second round of the draft. In addition to those three, Brooks Bryan (C, 8th round), Shane Van Dam (RHP, 9th round), Max Martin (RHP, 10th round), J.C. Vanek (INF, 14th round), Connor Rasmussen (INF, 15th round) and Randy Ramnarace (RHP, 16th round) are also joining the team.
SEEING 'EM EARLY: Last night, Yandel Ricardo stressed out opposing pitchers. The switch-hitting shortstop went 1-4 with two RBI over the contest, but what was truly special was how many pitches he saw. Ricardo saw 29 pitches in his four ABs or 7.25 pitches per at-bat. To put that into perspective, Hickory threw exactly 150 pitches last night, meaning the average Fireflies batter saw 16.67 pitches over the evening. Columbia had 34 at-bats that averaged 4.1 pitches per at-bat.
HOME OPENER: The Fireflies play their first game at Segra Park Tuesday, April 7 at 7:05 pm against their in-state rival, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Each fan in attendance will receive a free 2026 magnet schedule thanks to Service Experts. For tickets and more information, visit FirefliesTickets.com.
WELCOME TO THE SHOW: Last night, Sean Gamble, Josh Hammond and Brooks Bryan made their professional debuts. Bryan had a double in his first at-bat and later came around to score Columbia's first run of the campaign.
Carolina League Stories from April 3, 2026
- RidgeYaks Fall to Shorebirds in 11-10 Shootout - Salem RidgeYaks
- Woodpeckers Blanked on Opening Night Despite Strong Pitching - Fayetteville Woodpeckers
- Gray Shines in Three-Hit Night, RiverDogs Fall 5-4 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Mathis Mashes Go-Ahead Ninth Inning Homer, Birds Topple 'Dogs 5-4 - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Delmarva Rallies for Three in the Ninth to Stun RidgeYaks - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Pirela's Three Hit Day Sparks Howlers Victory - Hill City Howlers
- FredNats Explode for Five-Run 7th, Earn 5-3 ComeBack Win on Opening Night - Fredericksburg Nationals
- Columbia Takes Down 'Dads 5-2 - Hickory Crawdads
- Warbirds Score Late to Capture Inaugural Victory - Wilson Warbirds
- Gamble's First Pro Homer Powers Fireflies to Win - Columbia Fireflies
- Columbia Fireflies Homestand Preview: April 7-12 - Columbia Fireflies
- Don't Miss a Moment, RiverDogs Unveil Expanded 2026 Broadcast Coverage - Charleston RiverDogs
- Columbia Fireflies Game Notes 4.3 at Hickory - Columbia Fireflies
- Pelicans Pummel RiverDogs in Opening Night Blowout 15-0 - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Sold-Out "Joe" Roars, But RiverDogs Fall 15-0 in Opener - Charleston RiverDogs
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