Fireflies Knocked Down in 11-1 Loss
July 8, 2023 - Carolina League (CarL)
Columbia Fireflies News Release
Columbia Fireflies' Ben Sears on the mound
(Columbia Fireflies)
COLUMBIA, SC - The Fireflies surrendered eight runs in the first inning and ultimately fell 11-1 to the Charleston RiverDogs Saturday night at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park.
After a nearly two-hour long rain delay to start the contest, Charleston burst out of the gates in the first inning. Ryan Spikes headlined the inning with a three-run homer-his eighth of the year-to push the RiverDogs ahead. After three walks, a hit batter and three hits, the RiverDogs were able to score eight in the first inning, knocking Shane Panzini from the game after recording only two outs.
The RiverDogs added one run in the second, third and fourth innings. The Fireflies got three, one-run innings in relief from Oscar Rayo and a pair of scoreless relief innings from Ben Sears to close out the game.
The Fireflies lone run came in the top of the seventh inning. Roger Leyton led the inning off with a single, then Brennon McNair pushed him into scoring position with a walk. Next, Levi Usher laced a double down the third baseline to give the Fireflies their first run of the game.
Columbia heads to the break tomorrow night after a 5:05 pm game against the Charleston RiverDogs at The Joe. RHP Mauricio Veliz (1-4, 4.98 ERA) takes the bump for Columbia and Charleston counters with RHP Alex Ayala Jr. (0-4, 4.54 ERA).
The Fireflies return home after the All-Star Break, for a three-game series vs the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers July 14-16. The Fireflies have jammed that weekend filled with amazing promotions for our first-ever Dinosaur weekend. Ed's Dinosaurs will bring animatronic, life-sized dinosaurs to Segra Park, we'll have a dinosaur bobblehead giveaway Friday and on Saturday we'll set off a wonderful fireworks show. Tickets are available at FirefliesTickets.com.
Images from this story
 Columbia Fireflies' Ben Sears on the mound |
• Discuss this story on the Carolina League message board...
Carolina League Stories from July 8, 2023
- Huge First Inning Helps RiverDogs Hammer Fireflies 11-1 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Hillcats Spanked by Red Sox, 11-1 - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Shorebirds Blank FredNats 8-0 - Fredericksburg Nationals
- Fireflies Knocked Down in 11-1 Loss - Columbia Fireflies
- Delmarva Bounces Back with Shutout of Fredericksburg - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Birds Fall After Late Surge by GreenJackets - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Mudcats and Woodpeckers Suspended Saturday Night - Carolina Mudcats
- Vargas Transferred to High-A Wisconsin - Carolina Mudcats
- Columbia Fireflies Game Notes 7.8 at Charleston - Columbia Fireflies
- Another Fayetteville Comeback Falls Short in One-Run Loss to Mudcats - Fayetteville Woodpeckers
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.
