Fireflies Falter Late, Lose 6-4 on the Beach
Published on July 23, 2025 under Carolina League (CarL)
Columbia Fireflies News Release
Columbia Fireflies pitcher Henson Leal
(Columbia Fireflies)
COLUMBIA, S.C. - After giving up five unanswered across the final two innings, the Fireflies fell 6-4 to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Wednesday night at Pelicans Ballpark. The loss marked the Fireflies sixth-consecutive loss, which is their longest losing streak during the 2025 season.
Myrtle Beach took the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning. The Pelicans capped off five unanswered runs by scoring a pair of runs on an Augusto Mendieta (L, 3-1) wild pitch. The two runs gave the Pelicans a 6-4 lead to complete their comeback victory.
Ty Southisene singled in the eighth to plate Eli Lovich to tie the game 4-4. Southisene had a career night. The Pelicans second baseman finished 2-3 with two walks, four steals and three runs scored during the contest.
Columbia got on the board in the top of the third inning. After a strikeout to start the inning, Nazier Mule gave up a single, three walks and a hit batter to allow Columbia to take the lead 2-1 before Yoendris Gonzalez took his place. After that, Angel Acosta ripped a single to right to plate Yandel Ricardo and Colton Becker scored on a wild pitch prior to the end of the frame to make Columbia's lead 4-1.
The Pelicans broke the score column first in the home half of the first inning. Ty Southisene and Alexey Lumpuy started the frame with back-to-back singles. Later, with those two on the corners and two outs, Lumpuy started to second and Southisene scored on a successful double steal to give the Pelicans a 1-0 advantage.
Hiro Wyatt worked 1.2 innings and allowed one run before passing the ball to the bullpen. Henson Leal spun 2.1 scoreless frames with four punchouts to keep the Fireflies in front. After that, Jordan Woods spun 2.2 innings. In that time, he walked a career-high five batters and a pair came around on his ledger to cut Columbia's lead to 4-3. Finally, Mendieta allowed a season-high three earned runs as he blew the save and earned his first loss of the season.
Columbia continues their series with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans tomorrow night at Pelicans Ballpark at 7:05 pm. LHP David Shields (2-1, 2.21 ERA) takes the bump for Columbia and Myrtle Beach counters with RHP Kevin Camacho (0-0, 0.00 ERA).
The Fireflies return home for a series with the Fredericksburg Nationals July 29-August 3. The team will host Stand Up to Cancer Night Friday, August 1, Harry Potter Night featuring a Hogwarts House-themed sock giveaway Saturday, August 2 and 803 Night Sunday, August 3. Buy your tickets now at FirefliesTickets.com.
Images from this story
 Columbia Fireflies pitcher Henson Leal |
Carolina League Stories from July 23, 2025
- Pelicans Rally Past Fireflies 6-4 in Dramatic Finish - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Crawdads Blanked by Augusta - Hickory Crawdads
- Shorebirds Handle Hillcats for First Win of the Homestand - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Red Sox Fall Behind Early, Drop Game Two to Charleston - Salem Red Sox
- Harrison's Quality Start Keeps the RiverDogs Hot - Charleston RiverDogs
- Fireflies Falter Late, Lose 6-4 on the Beach - Columbia Fireflies
- Quiet Offensive Night Sees FredNats Get Shut Out 2-0 - Fredericksburg Nationals
- Mudcats Down Kannapolis - Carolina Mudcats
- Columbia Fireflies Game Notes 7.23 at Myrtle Beach - Columbia Fireflies
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.
