Fireflies Get Third Shutout of Season in 3-0 Win
June 28, 2025 - Carolina League (CarL)
Columbia Fireflies News Release
Columbia Fireflies pitcher Yunior Marte
(Columbia Fireflies)
COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Fireflies got their third shutout of the 2025 season in a 3-0 victory over the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Saturday night at Segra Park. It was Columbia's first shutout since May 26, when they blanked the Fayetteville Woodpeckers 3-0 behind David Shields, Fraynel Nova and Dash Albus.
Yunior Marte didn't qualify for the win Saturday night, but he left with the Fireflies in front 1-0. The righty allowed a lead-off single, but then retired 12-consecutive before handing the ball to the bullpen. His three strikeouts were enough for him to regain the Carolina League lead with 67 total strikeouts this season.
Nick Conte was the first pitcher out of the bullpen. The righty worked around a lead-off double to keep the Pelicans off the board. After that, Augusto Mendieta (W, 2-0) spun a pair of scoreless innings while striking out one to get Columbia to the eighth inning where Dash Albus (S, 5) closed things out. The southpaw worked two innings without allowing a run. He worked around one hit to match Mason Miller with his fifth save of the year.
Columbia cracked the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning. Yandel Ricardo was hit by a pitch to start the inning. He moved to second on a throwing error from Nazier Mule from a pick-off attempt. After that, Colton Becker laid down a two-strike sacrifice bunt to advance Ricardo to third. Finally, Milo Rushford earned his 12th RBI of the season with a sacrifice fly to give Columbia a 1-0 lead.
The Fireflies added another unearned run in the bottom of the seventh. Josi Novas laced a double down the left-field line to start the frame. After that, Gabriel Silva reached on a throwing error from reliever Kevin Valdez to score Novas with a pair of outs and double the lead to 2-0. In the eighth, Henry Ramos got things started with a bunt single. He moved up to second on a throwing error before Asbel Gonzalez bunted him 90 feet away. Yandel Ricardo dribbled a fielder's choice back to the hill that allowed Ramos to score to grant the Fireflies a 3-0 advantage.
The Fireflies conclude their series with Myrtle Beach tomorrow night at Segra Park at 5:05 pm. RHP Jose Gutierrez (debut) will start for Columbia and the Pelicans counter with RHP Nazier Mule (2-2, 5.64 ERA).
Tomorrow is Mason's birthday! Join Columbia's mascot and his friends for plenty of fun and shenanigans during the game and stick around after for kids run the bases thanks to Bang Back Pinball Lounge and a full-team autograph session. Buy your tickets now at FirefliesTickets.com.
Images from this story
 Columbia Fireflies pitcher Yunior Marte |
Carolina League Stories from June 28, 2025
- Woodpeckers' Comeback Bid Falls Just Short Against Augusta - Fayetteville Woodpeckers
- Mudcats Break Game Open Late to Take Series Lead - Delmarva Shorebirds
- FredNats Deflated in 5-1 Loss to Kannapolis - Fredericksburg Nationals
- Mudcats Slug Past Delmarva - Carolina Mudcats
- Urbina, Flewelling Push Charleston to Carolina Day Victory - Charleston RiverDogs
- Fireflies Shut out Pelicans 3-0 on Saturday Night - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Fireflies Get Third Shutout of Season in 3-0 Win - Columbia Fireflies
- Columbia Fireflies Game Notes 6.28 vs Myrtle Beach - Columbia Fireflies
- Martinez Added from Wisconsin - Carolina Mudcats
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.
