Fireflies Game Notes: April 21 vs. Hickory (Game 16)
April 21, 2018 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Columbia Fireflies News Release
Columbia Fireflies (10-5) vs. Hickory Crawdads (5-9)
LHP Jake Simon (0-2, 2.45) vs. RHP Jean Casanova (0-1, 3.00)
Sat., April 21, 2018 - Spirit Communications Park - First Pitch 6:05 p.m. - Game 16
LISTEN: Fox Sports Radio 1400 AM / ColumbiaFireflies.com / iHeartRadio App
WATCH: MiLB.TV
ABOUT LAST GAME: Columbia evened its four-game series against the Hickory Crawdads with a 6-3 victory on Friday night at Spirit Communications Park. Starting pitcher Joe Cavallaro allowed just two hits and struck out six batters en route to his second win of the year in just three starts. Columbia remains tied for first place in the Southern Division of the South Atlantic League.
WELCOME TO THE SHOW: Merandy Gonzalez became the first former Firefly to reach the big leagues on Thursday night. Gonzalez pitched two scoreless innings of relief for the Marlins in his MLB debut against Milwaukee at Miller Park. His first professional strikeout came against 2014 ALCS MVP Lorenzo Cain in the seventh inning.
The 22-year-old was practically unstoppable in his time with the Fireflies.
- 2017: 11 starts, 8-1 record, 1.55 ERA, 65 K, 13 BB
For more on Merandy, see page two.
SLUGFEST: Columbia's offense has collected 83 hits over the previous eight games (10-11 hits per game during this stretch). The squad leads the SAL in hits with 147 and batting average (.285) this season. The Fireflies have tallied five or more runs in nine of their 10 wins.
CAN'T HANDLE THE HEAT: Columbia's pitching staff has fanned 167 hitters through 15 games-the most in the SAL by a wide margin-and a remarkable 67 over the last five games.
BASE MACHINE: Jeremy Vasquez reached base again on Friday. Vasquez has reached base safely in all 14 games he's played in this season-the best streak for all Low-A level hitters (SAL and Midwest League). He is one of the most patient hitters in the SAL - tied for first in the league in walks (14). The 21-year-old is also second in the league with a .469 on-base percentage.
KEEP THIS UP: Rigoberto Terrazas and Walter Rasquin are both scorching hot at the plate right now. Rasquin is on a nine-game hitting streak (April 7-20). Terrazas has hit safely in 11 consecutive contests, which ties the franchise record. David Thompson recorded an 11-game hit streak over the first 11 games of the '16 season (April 7-17).
South Atlantic League Stories from April 21, 2018
- McClure Dazzles on the Mound as Intimidators Extend Win Streak to 3 Games - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Becker Wins It for 'Birds in 10th - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Birds Rally with Two in 10th for 5-4 Win over BlueClaws - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Gutierrez Homers as Winning Streak Ends - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Manea Rips Second Homer of Season on Saturday Night - Columbia Fireflies
- Hagerstown Homers over Lexington in Game Three - Lexington Legends
- Drive Skid Continues on Saturday Night - Greenville Drive
- Soto Homers as Suns Win Second-Straight - Hagerstown Suns
- Comeback Kids Make Statement in Rome - Augusta GreenJackets
- Three Run Ninth Dooms Braves - Rome Emperors
- Mitchell's Big Day at the Plate Headlines 13-2 West Virginia Victory - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Big Innings Costly in Fifth Straight Road Loss - Asheville Tourists
- Fireflies Game Notes: April 21 vs. Hickory (Game 16) - Columbia Fireflies
- JP Sears Activated from Disabled List, Will Start Saturday in Greensboro - Charleston RiverDogs
- West Virginia Power: Game Notes (April 21) - Charleston Dirty Birds
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