Sanchez Unstoppable, Columbia Snaps Streak
Published on June 8, 2018 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Columbia Fireflies News Release
COLUMBIA, SC - Fireflies catcher Ali Sanchez went on a rampage on Friday. The 21-year-old belted his third homer of the season, drove in three runs and led Columbia to a 4-1 victory over the Augusta GreenJackets. The club snapped its seven-game losing streak and is back to .500 on the year.
Columbia (29-29) trailed 1-0 entering the bottom of the sixth. Raphael Gladu singled, stole second and scurried to third base on a wild pitch. It was then that Sanchez launched a fly ball to deep left field. Gladu tagged and scored on the sacrifice fly and the Fireflies evened the score.
The home team took a lead for good with a seventh-inning score. Matt Winaker led off with a base hit and later scored on Edgardo Fermin's RBI double. Augusta (35-24) reliever John Russell (L, 5-2) would later allow the two-run home run to Sanchez in the bottom of the eighth. It was the catcher's third of the season.
Sanchez also doubled in his first at-bat, giving the Venezuelan a pair of extra-base hits on the night.
Columbia's pitchers were impressive on Friday. It started with Anthony Kay: the lefty grinded through 6.2 innings, scattering five hits and striking out seven. Carlos Hernandez (W, 1-1) picked up the win after 1.1 scoreless frames and Stephen Villines (S, 6) then tossed a one-two-three top of the ninth to close out the game.
STREAK ALERT: Raphael Gladu extended his franchise-record hit streak to 22 straight games with a pair of singles on Friday. Gladu is hitting .370 during the stretch.
SATURDAY'S PITCHING MATCHUP: LHP David Peterson (1-4, 1.93) for Columbia ... RHP Jose Marte (6-1, 2.82) for Augusta
NEXT GAME INFO: Saturday, June 9, Spirit Communications Park, 6:05 ET ... WATCH: MiLB.TV ... LISTEN: FOX Sports Radio 1400 AM, ColumbiaFireflies.com, TuneIn Radio app
South Atlantic League Stories from June 8, 2018
- Drive Come Back to Stun RiverDogs in Extras - Greenville Drive
- 'Birds Bounce Back for Split with Suns - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Back-to-Back-to-Back, RiverDogs Fall to Drive Despite Launching Three Straight Homers - Charleston RiverDogs
- Corredor's Five Hits Lead Suns in DH Split - Hagerstown Suns
- 'Dads Drop Doubleheader against West Virginia - Hickory Crawdads
- Power Blanks Crawdads in Doubleheader Sweep - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Devers Triples Twice as Hoppers Roll - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Kannapolis Tops Rome 8-3 - Rome Emperors
- Sanchez Unstoppable, Columbia Snaps Streak - Columbia Fireflies
- Bats Stay Cold in Columbia - Augusta GreenJackets
- BlueClaws Drop Series Opener, 7-2 at Greensboro on Friday - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Game Recap: Julio Shines in Game Two Win - Asheville Tourists
- Lexington Legends Split First Doubleheader of Series with Asheville Tourists - Lexington Legends
- Fireflies Game Notes: June 8 vs. Augusta (Game 58) - Columbia Fireflies
- Youth Movement, Miguel Yajure Joins RiverDogs - Charleston RiverDogs
- West Virginia Power: Game Notes (June 8) - Charleston Dirty Birds
- It's a Kentucky Filled Homestand with Coach Mark Stoops Bobblehead Giveaway and Legen-Dairy Night - Lexington Legends
- RiverDogs Again Join Yankees HOPE Week Initiative - Charleston RiverDogs
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.
Other Recent Columbia Fireflies Stories
- Fireflies Unveil Battle at BullStreet Pre-Game Plaza Party
- Try out to Sing the National Anthem at a 2026 Fireflies Game
- Gift a Fireflies Surprise this Valentine's Day
- Fireflies 2026 Tickets on Sale Now
- Noworyta's Return Highlights Fireflies 2026 Coaching Staff
