Mauricio Stays Hot on Saturday Night at Segra Park
July 27, 2019 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Columbia Fireflies News Release
COLUMBIA, SC - Ronny Mauricio has been the most consistent hitter and highest-rated prospect on the Fireflies roster all season. Nothing changed on Saturday as the Fireflies celebrated 'Christmas in July' at Segra Park. Mauricio roped a two-run double, walked and also scored a run in Columbia's 8-4 loss to Hagerstown. An effervescent crowd of 4,858 showed up to the park.
The Fireflies must now win the final two games of the set to split the four-game series. Columbia (15-21, 39-63) has struggled the last two weeks and has fallen to 2-10 over its last 12 games.
The constant silver lining is Mauricio's play. The 18-year-old shortstop has now reached safely in six straight games and is hitting .409 during that span with five runs scored and three RBI.
Mauricio was recently re-ranked as the Mets top-rated prospect by MLB.com. He's also the 84th-ranked prospect across Minor League Baseball. Quite the honor for a teenager who has also tallied 103 hits in 90 games this season. Mauricio is on pace to break the Fireflies single-season hits record (which currently stands at 111).
Mauricio and the Fireflies jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the early innings on Saturday. Chase Chambers plated the aforementioned Mauricio with a base hit against starter Jackson Rutledge in the first. Mauricio had previously reached on an error.
In the second, Carlos Sanchez and Taylor Lane each reached to start the frame off. Gerson Molina soon drove a fastball down the left-field line and knocked Sanchez in. Mauricio followed suit with a two-run double of his own that had the home team ahead by four.
Hagerstown (16-19, 46-59) cut into the lead just as quickly as Columbia built it. The Suns went for three runs in the top of the fourth, an inning highlighted by Kyle Mariconz's two-run double.
Fireflies starter Jaison Vilera steadied himself after allowing the three runs. He retired three straight Suns batters before hitting back-to-back Hagerstown hitters in the fifth and then walking another to load the bases. Vilera was lifted for right-hander Conner O'Neil (L, 1-1). The 24-year-old had to pitch with the bases loaded.
O'Neil would then plunk Jacob Rhinesmith to allow the tying run to score. Columbia's reliever then forced Mariconz to fly out to center to end the threat.
Things really unraveled in the following inning. O'Neil surrendered four runs in the sixth - only three earned - and the Fireflies would not recover. In fact, neither team scored beyond the sixth frame.
While Vilera and O'Neil combined to allow the eight runs, relievers Jose Moreno - who made his return from the injured list on Saturday - and Allan Winans were bright spots on the slope. The duo tossed three scoreless and hitless innings.
Also not to be forgotten, Taylor Lane finished with a pair of hits, his first multi-hit game as a Firefly.
Sunday's matchup between Columbia and Hagerstown is set to begin at 5:05 ET. You can watch the game at MiLB.TV.
South Atlantic League Stories from July 27, 2019
- Dawkins' Three-Hit Day Not Enough in Friday Loss - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Walk this Way: Claws Draw 10 in 5-3 Saturday Win - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- 'Birds Arms Baffle 'Dogs for Clean Sheet - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Road Trip Turnaround Evades RiverDogs - Charleston RiverDogs
- Mauricio Stays Hot on Saturday Night at Segra Park - Columbia Fireflies
- John Rave's Grand Slam Exterminates GreenJackets - Lexington Legends
- Lexington Grand Slam Too Much to Overcome - Augusta GreenJackets
- Suns Bats Pick-Up Rutledge in Shortened Debut - Hagerstown Suns
- Anchia Goes Deep as Comeback Falls Short Saturday - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Whatley and Gonzalez Homer in Win - Hickory Crawdads
- Two Hits Match Season Low for Tourists - Asheville Tourists
- Fireflies Roster Move and Game Notes: July 27 vs. Hagerstown (Game 102) - Columbia Fireflies
- Hagerstown Suns: Game Notes - Hagerstown Suns
- Langeliers Flexes as Braves Top Power 5-4 in Extras - Rome Emperors
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.
