CarL Columbia Fireflies

Fireflies Win 4-0 in Extras Friday

July 7, 2023 - Carolina League (CarL)
Columbia Fireflies News Release


COLUMBIA, SC - The Fireflies pitching staff worked their ninth shutout of the season in 10 innings and the Charleston RiverDogs imploded in extras, leading to a 4-0 Fireflies win over Charleston Friday Night at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park.

Jean Ramirez got a pinch-hit bunt single in the 10th, but then reliever Matt Wyatt (L, 2-5) threw the ball away to first, allowing Erick Pena to score from second on the error. After Lizandro Rodriguez and Brett Squires singled, both scored without additional hits. Rodriguez scampered in on the first wild pitch of the inning. Next, Brett Squires scored on a passed ball from a strikeout of Austin Charles. Finally, Charles came around on another wild pitch that put the Fireflies in front 4-0.

Ben Kudrna turned in one of the best starts of his career Friday. The righty became the second Fireflies pitcher to work seven innings in a single game this year, joining David Sandlin. Kudrna only allowed a runner to reach scoring position once and kept Charleston off the scoreboard before turning the ball over to the bullpen. He punched out six while allowing only six baserunners. In Kudrna's last two outings, he has spun 13.2 innings and has 16 punchouts while allowing three runs (1.98 ERA).

Next, Chazz Martinez (W, 6-4) worked a scoreless pair of innings to send the Fireflies to extra innings. After Columbia scored four runs in the top of the 10th, Samuel Valerio entered in a non-save situation. Valerio walked a pair of batters to load the bases and then retired the RiverDogs with a pop out and back-to-back strikeouts to close out the game.

The Fireflies kick-off their weekend with a 6:05 pm tilt against the Charleston RiverDogs at The Joe. RHP Shane Panzini (1-6, 3.52 ERA) takes the bump for Columbia and Charleston counters with RHP Yoniel Curet (4-1, 2.61 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.

Check out the Columbia Fireflies Statistics



Carolina League Stories from July 7, 2023


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