Fireflies Game Notes: July 5 at Hickory
July 5, 2019 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Columbia Fireflies News Release
Columbia Fireflies (8-7, 32-49) @ Hickory Crawdads (10-5, 51-30)
RHP Willy Taveras (4-7, 5.60) vs. RHP Hans Crouse (2-0, 2.82)
Fri., July 5, 2019 - L.P. Frans Stadium (Hickory, NC) - First Pitch 7:00 p.m. - Game 82
LISTEN: FirefliesLiveStream.com / ColumbiaFireflies.com / TuneIn App
WATCH: MiLB.TV
LAST TIME OUT: Columbia defeated Hickory, 5-3, on the Independence Day holiday. The Fireflies scored four runs in the top of the eighth to break a 1-1 tie. The rally was highlighted by a three-run, opposite field homer from Brian Sharp. Bryce Hutchinson recorded his fourth win of the season. Billy Oxford picked up his second save after forcing the potential winning run to ground into a double play to end the game.
HERE COMES THE SUN (HOPEFULLY): Columbia travels to Hickory for the second time this season this weekend. The last time the Fireflies visited L.P. Frans Stadium, three of the four scheduled contests were cancelled due to weather.
THE REDHAWK IS RED-HOT: Former Miami (OH) RedHawk Hayden Senger is hitting at a Ruthian clip in the second half. Senger leads all SAL hitters in hitting post all-star break (.469).
STAYING SHARP: Columbia outfielder/first baseman Brian Sharp is enjoying a stellar run of play as of late. In his last 10 games, the 22-year-old is hitting .361 (13-for-36) with five runs, two homers, and seven RBIs.
STAYING SHARP, Pt. II: Sharp's two home runs have come in each of the last two games. The Missouri native went yard in the first inning on Wednesday against Greenville. Then, on Thursday, Sharp smashed a game-winning, three-run bomb in the top of the eighth.
MAURICIO MAGIC: Among current and qualified South Atlantic League hitters, Ronny Mauricio is tied for third in the league with 87 hits and eighth with a .285 average. The South Atlantic League All-Star is hitting .308 (37-for-120) in 27 games since May 28, which is third-best in the SAL among qualified hitters.
SECOND-HALF SLUGGERS: Best batting averages in the second half:
1. Hayden Senger - .469 (23-for-49), 13 GP, 5 R, 9 2B, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 4 BB, 5 K
2. Wagner Lagrange - .333 (18-for-54), 14 GP, 10 R, 5 2B, 2 HR, 14 RBI
3. Mark Vientos - .327 (17-for-52) 13 GP, 9 R, 6 2B, 1 HR, 13 RBI
4. Brian Sharp - .319 (15-for-47) 13 GP, 9 R, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 5 BB, 2 SB
FLIP THE CALENDAR: Columbia finished the month of June with a 9-14 mark. The club hit .238, its best average for any month this season. Three Fireflies impressed at the plate in June:
- H. Senger - team-best .345 average, 5 straight multi-hit games: 6/22-6/26
- R. Mauricio - .295 average in 20 games, team-best 26 hits
- M. Vientos - led the team with 15 RBIs in June (20 GP), .263 average
South Atlantic League Stories from July 5, 2019
- Anderson Has Two-Homer Game in 'Dads Debut - Hickory Crawdads
- Olague Dominates as Rome Defeats Asheville 5-1 - Rome Emperors
- Lexington Powers off West Virginia in 11-7 Victory - Lexington Legends
- Pitching Staff Throws Gem to Give Kannapolis Win in Vaughn's Debut - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Olague Steals the Show, Fires CG against Tourists - Asheville Tourists
- Six-Run Fifth Inning Drowns Power Friday Night - Charleston Dirty Birds
- 'Birds Slide by Suns, Retain Gov's Cup - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Jackets Offense Struggles as Kannapolis Wins 5-0 - Augusta GreenJackets
- Suns Unable to Take Advantage of 'Birds Miscues - Hagerstown Suns
- RiverDogs Offense Goes Flat in Game Two - Charleston RiverDogs
- Drive Blank RiverDogs, 4-0, on Friday - Greenville Drive
- Fireflies Game Notes: July 5 at Hickory - Columbia Fireflies
- Game Notes (July 5) - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Hagerstown Suns Game Notes - Hagerstown Suns
- RiverDogs Promise Five-Star, Three-Day Homestand Starting Tuesday - Charleston RiverDogs
- Tourists Hold off Braves 4-3 in Series Opener - Rome Emperors
- Sharp's Eighth-Inning Homer Propels Fireflies to Independence Day Victory - Columbia Fireflies
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