Columbia Fireflies Game Notes June 30 at Augusta
June 30, 2022 - Carolina League (CarL)
Columbia Fireflies News Release
The Fireflies continue their series with the Augusta GreenJackets tonight at SRP Park at 7:05 pm. RHP Shane Panzini (0-1, 3.38 ERA) gets the ball for Columbia and James Acuna (1-2, 2.30 ERA) starts for the GreenJackets.
Independence Day is right around the corner! Have a blast at Segra Park the whole weekend with two of the largest fireworks displays in the history of Segra Park being blasted off! We'll start the weekend with Fireworks with the Phil, presented by Prisma Health July 2 and we'll keep the party going as the Fireflies take on the Myrtle Beach Pelicans July 4. Tickets are available at FirefliesTickets.com.
----------
FIREFLIES SWEEP DOUBLEHEADER, STAY IN FIRST PLACE: The Columbia Fireflies swept the Augusta GreenJackets, 4-3 and 9-4, in a series opening doubleheader at SRP Park Wednesday night to maintain a share of first place in the Carolina League South Division second-half standings. Game One: The long ball had a major impact on the first game of the twin bill as the Fireflies launched three homers in a 4-3 victory over the Augusta GreenJackets. Enrique Valdez got the Fireflies (4-1) on the board when he launched his fifth homer of the season to tie the game 1-1in the top of the second, but after that, David Hollie stole the show. The outfielder smacked homers in the fourth and the sixth to push Columbia lead to 4-2 heading into the final frame. Hollie is the first Fireflies player to have a two-homer game since Burle Dixon accomplished the feat July 22, 2021 vs Augusta. Game Two: The Fireflies scored six in the sixth-inning as they swept the Augusta GreenJackets (2-3) following an 8-4 win in game two of their doubleheader. The sixth inning started with a double from David Hollie, and then saw the Fireflies get six runs off five hits and a pair of walks. River Town capped off the frame, with a two-run single to right that plated Joshua Rivera and Jean Ramirez to give the Fireflies two valuable runs of insurance.
NEW YEAR, NEW ME: The second half of the season started Thursday, which reset each team's record to 0-0. The Fireflies finished the first half (66 games) 28 games back of Myrtle Beach, who had the best record in Minor League Baseball. After starting the second-half 4-1, the Fireflies are in first place and possess a magic number of 62 to clinch the first playoff berth in franchise history.
DOUBLE TROUBLE: Yesterday, outfielder David Hollie became the first Fireflies player to homer twice in the same game since Burle Dixon did so against the Augusta GreenJackets July 22, 2021. Hollie had an incredible night, going 2-3 in both games with two homers in the first game and a double in the second slate.
TRIPLE CROWN THREAT: One Fireflies player has been running away with the top batting stats of the season. After smacking a lead-off homer and driving in two RBI, River Town has the highest batting average (.242), homerun total (9) and RBI tally (27) on the Fireflies. The closest competitor in each category would be Darryl Collins (.230) in average and Carter Jensen in homers (eight) and RBI (24).
SOMEBODY SAVE ME: Friday night, Shane Connolly earned the first save of his professional career. It was bigger than just that though. He is the first Fireflies player other than Luis Barroso to earn a save in 2022. The stretch continued last night as the Fireflies earned saves on consecutive nights for the first time this season. Last night, it was Delvin Capellan who closed out the final seven outs to retire Charleston without a threat.
WILY WILLIS: In his 37th appearance in the neon and navy, Marlin Willis earned his first win. He is now 1-2 in his career with the Fireflies across 60.2 innings of work. In his second season in the Soda City, the southpaw has a 4.07 ERA in 14 appearances, fanning 33 in 24.1 innings and holding opponents to a .189 average. Columbia's reliever has been on a tear since the end of April though. After recording an 8.53 ERA in the first month of the season, Willis continues to perform better as time passes. He went 0-1 with a 2.92 ERA in six games spanning 12.1 innings in May and is 1-0 in his first four games of June with a 1.59 ERA in 5.2 innings.
Carolina League Stories from June 30, 2022
- Wild Pitch Caps off Wild Win at Augusta - Columbia Fireflies
- FredNats Complete Comeback With Walk-off From Williams - Fredericksburg Nationals
- Vernon Suffers First Loss; Pelicans Defeat RiverDogs 8-3 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Solid Performances from Deivy Cruz and Heston Kjerstad Not Enough as 'Birds Walked-Off by FredNats - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Sox Leave Hillcats behind in Seventh - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Independence Day Celebration Kicks off Patriotic Homestand - Charleston RiverDogs
- Columbia Fireflies Game Notes June 30 at Augusta - Columbia Fireflies
- Pelicans Playoff Tickets Now Available - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Woodies Just Short - Down East Wood Ducks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
