Fireflies Back in First Following 3-2 Win
July 30, 2022 - Carolina League (CarL)
Columbia Fireflies News Release
Ben Kudrna of the Columbia Fireflies
(Columbia Fireflies)
COLUMBIA, SC - The Fireflies rallied behind six scoreless innings from starter Ben Kudrna, as they outdueled Kannapolis 3-2 at Atrium Health Ballpark Saturday night.
Kudrna (W, 2-4) collected his first quality start of his career, fanning six hitters in as many innings, while allowing four hits and two walks, but no runs. The righty collected a career-high in innings pitched and tied a career-high six strikeouts for a third time this season.
After roping together five scoreless innings out of the chute, Kannapolis' (17-12) second reliever, Hunter Dollander (L, 3-1) surrendered a run in the sixth. With runners on the corners and no one out, Jaswel De Los Santos laid a bunt down the first base line to plate Erick Peña, garnering the Fireflies a 1-0 lead.
Insurance came in the seventh. After Daniel Vazquez walked to lead-off the inning, Enrique Valdez and Peña hit back-to-back two out singles to put the Fireflies up 3-0.
Heribert Garcia (S, 1) closed out the game, spinning three innings of relief, allowing a run in the seventh and the ninth, but holding the Fireflies lead to earn their second-consecutive win over Kannapolis.
With the win, the Fireflies (17-11) are now in first place in the South Division in the second half.
Columbia closes out their series with the Cannon Ballers tomorrow afternoon at Atrium Health Ballpark at 1 pm. RHP Ben Hernandez (1-5, 4.44 ERA) toes the rubber for Columbia and Kannapolis counters with RHP Jared Kelly (0-4, 3.47 ERA).
The Fireflies return home to Segra Park August 2, where they'll face the Charleston RiverDogs at home for the first time in the 2022 season. We have a week jam-packed with promotions, including Paw Patrol Night August 6! Tickets are available at FirefliesTickets.com.
Images from this story
 Ben Kudrna of the Columbia Fireflies |
Carolina League Stories from July 30, 2022
- Hillcats Lose Third Straight - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Augusta Ends Losing Skid with an Impressive Performance - Augusta GreenJackets
- Fireflies Back in First Following 3-2 Win - Columbia Fireflies
- Piper's Walk-Off Double Caps Shocking Comeback in Extra-Inning Victory - Charleston RiverDogs
- Myrtle Beach Drops Saturday Night Contest to Augusta 6-4 - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Rutledge Dominates, FredNats Win Third Straight Over Salem - Fredericksburg Nationals
- Woodpeckers Pull off Eighth-Inning Comeback, Win Third Straight against Mudcats - Fayetteville Woodpeckers
- 'Birds Rally Twice to Swipe 5-4 Win from Hillcats - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Delmarva Shorebirds Game Notes, - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Hearn Homers, Pelicans Defeat GreenJackets 5-2 - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Columbia Fireflies Game Notes July 30 at Kannapolis - Columbia Fireflies
- Late Comeback Effort Comes up Just Short as Ballers Fall to Fireflies 7-6 Friday - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Late Error Proves Costly in 2-1 Loss in Fayetteville - Carolina Mudcats
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