RiverDogs Walk off on Wild Pitch to Defeat Columbia

May 31, 2018 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release

Charleston RiverDogs celebrate walk off win
(Charleston RiverDogs, Credit: Zach Bland)

In a back-and-forth series finale, Charleston (24-28) got the first two runners on in the bottom half of the ninth with back-to-back singles from center fielder Leonardo Molina and Hess. After both were advanced on an Eduardo Navas sacrifice bunt, Molina was thrown out at home by Columbia (28-23) first baseman Jeremy Vasquez on a Carlos Vidal ground ball. With two outs and shortstop Kyle Holder at the plate, a wild pitch from Darwin Ramos (0-1) skidded to the backstop, plating the walk-off tally. Hess extended his hit streak to six games with the ninth inning knock.

Molina had a pair of hits in the victory, including a two-run double that scored right fielder Steven Sensley and designated hitter Pablo Olivares as part of a three-run seventh inning. Molina scored later in the frame on double from Navas.

Right-hander Jio Orozco was given the nod for the Holy City. Orozco went a season-high six innings, surrendering two runs and facing one over the minimum through 5 1/3. Orozco registered a no-decision in the victory.

Braden Bristo and Kyle Zurak (2-1) combined for the final three innings of relief. Bristo surrendered two runs but a scoreless ninth from Zurak kept the ballgame tied.

All three games of the series were decided by one run, with Columbia claiming the tilt. Charleston has played a SAL-high 25 one-run games, going 11-14 in such contests. The Dogs now lead the season series with the Fireflies, 6-5, with all but one game being separated by two or fewer runs.

Ballpark Fun

It was Budweiser Thirsty Thursday presented by 95SX. Fans enjoyed dollar beers and bumped to the beats of DJ Natty Heavy in the Budweiser Ashley View Pub. Charleston also eclipsed 100,000 fans through the turnstiles this season.

Upcoming

Charleston welcomes the Delmarva Shorebirds, the Class A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, for a three-game weekend set starting on Friday at 7:05. RiverDogs righty Alexander Vargas (2-1, 6.00) will match up with right-hander Brenan Hanifee (4-1, 2.55). Friday's game will be broadcast on 1250 WTMA in the tri-county area, with audio available at riverdogs.com and the RiverDogs TuneIn radio station. There is also video streaming available on MiLB.TV.

RiverDogs single-game tickets, including options to the Riley Park Club, are now available for the 2018 campaign, the club's 25th season as the RiverDogs and their "175th season in dog years." Ticket information can be secured by contacting the box office at (843) 577-DOGS (3647) or online at www.riverdogs.com/tickets.

Chris Hess of the Charleston RiverDogs slides home with the winning run (Zach Bland)

Charleston RiverDogs celebrate walk off win (Zach Bland)

South Atlantic League Stories from May 31, 2018

• RiverDogs Walk off on Wild Pitch to Defeat Columbia - Charleston RiverDogs
• GreenJackets Run Past Drive on Thursday - Greenville Drive
• GreenJackets Bats Drive Them to Victory - Augusta GreenJackets
• Columbia and Charleston Conclude Tense Series with Wild Finish - Columbia Fireflies
• Tourists Leave Rome on a High Note - Asheville Tourists
• Sullivan Homers in Fog-Shortened Win - Greensboro Grasshoppers
• Asheville Salvages Final Game of the Series 4-1 - Rome Emperors
• Claws Fall 2-0 in Fog-Shortened Thursday Game - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
• K-Town Twin Bill Washed Out - Delmarva Shorebirds
• Doubleheader Postponed - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
• Suns-Crawdads Series Finale Rained out on Thursday - Hagerstown Suns
• Military Appreciation Night, Troop Supply Drive on June 14th - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
• Thursday's Doubleheader at Lexington Postponed - Charleston Dirty Birds
• Lexington and West Virginia's Doubleheader Postponed Due to Weather - Lexington Legends
• Fireflies Game Notes: May 31 at Charleston (Game 51) - Columbia Fireflies
• Military Appreciation Night, Troop Supply Drive on June 14th - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
• Preview: Lillie to Face Lakewood - Greensboro Grasshoppers
• Red, White and Boom to Take Place at Rupp Arena for 2018 - Lexington Legends
• West Virginia Power: Game Notes (May 31) - Charleston Dirty Birds

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