Fireflies Complete First Ever Series Sweep at Spirit Communications Park
May 25, 2016 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Columbia Fireflies News Release
COLUMBIA, SC - The Fireflies notched their first ever series sweep at Spirit Communications Park on Wednesday afternoon. Columbia bested Augusta, 7-4, behind Kevin Canelon's solid pitching performance. The left-hander tossed six innings and struck out six batters.
The home team scored in the first inning in all three games. Pat Mazeika punched a single to left-center field off of GreenJackets' lefty Grant Watson (L, 2-4) to drive in Vinny Siena, who crossed home plate seven times in the series.
Augusta (21-25) threatened Canelon (W, 3-3) in the top of the third by pushing across three runs. Lucius Fox and Jalen Miller produced runs in the frame. The GreenJackets pulled ahead, 3-1.
The Fireflies chipped at the deficit in the bottom half of the third. Siena drilled a double to left and stole third base. Kevin Kaczmarski stepped to the plate next and mashed a sacrifice fly to center field to score Siena. Columbia (24-22) still trailed, 3-2, after four innings.
The bats came to life in the fifth. Five of the first six batters reached via a hit in the half inning. Mazeika's bases-clearing double highlighted the hit parade. Columbia's designated hitter drove in four runs. Mazeika is now batting .444 (12-for-27) with 7 RBIs in his first eight games of the season. The Fireflies regained the lead, 6-3.
Jose Garcia added a run-scoring double in the eighth. Bullpen arms Tyler Bashlor and Alex Palsha pitched the final three innings and allowed just one run combined. While Columbia's offense glistened this series, the pitching staff allowed just seven runs total in the three-game set.
The Fireflies hit the road Thursday to visit the West Virginia Power for a four-game series at Appalachian Power Park. Manager Jose Leger hands the ball to right-hander Tyler Badamo (1-3, 3.54). He takes on West Virginia righty Mitch Keller (3-2, 1.40).
You can listen to the action on WGCV 620 AM, 105.1 and 96.3 FM, ColumbiaFireflies.com and the TuneIn Radio app starting at 7:00 p.m.
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