Sharp Triples, Fireflies Fall in Hickory Finale
June 30, 2019 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Columbia Fireflies News Release
COLUMBIA, SC - Columbia first baseman Brian Sharp recorded his 12th multi-hit game of 2019 on Sunday. The former Missouri Tiger tripled into center in the fifth, then singled in the ninth. Sharp tallied five total hits in the series against Hickory. The five hits were the most of any Fireflies player during the four-game set. Unfortunately, Sharp's solid play was not enough to push his team to victory. Columbia ultimately fell to Hickory, 8-3. The Crawdads also secured the series win with the result.
Despite the five-run difference in the score line, the game was not too far out of reach for the Fireflies at times. Hickory (9-2, 50-27) smashed home runs on three separate occasions during the night. The trio of longballs brought home five runs in total, which was the difference in the game.
Columbia (5-6, 29-48) starter Willy Taveras (L, 4-7) was on the pitching end of all three homers. The righty has allowed 15 dingers on the season, more than any other pitcher in the South Atlantic League. For Taveras, the loss marked a third consecutive outing of six or more earned runs allowed. In his last three starts, the 21-year-old owns a 13.85 ERA in 13.0 innings.
Meanwhile, Ronny Henriquez (W, 3-4) heaved arguably his best start of the season for the Crawdads. Henriquez allowed just one run on four hits and one walk. The righty also punched out nine Columbia hitters, matching his season-best set earlier this month in a start against West Virginia. Henriquez was followed by Lucas Jacobsen and Grant Anderson. The two relievers added six more strikeouts to their staff's box score, amassing 15 total whiffs during the affair.
Even with the strikeouts, the Fireflies were not without offense altogether. Columbia smacked nine base hits during the day, just one less then their counterparts. Sharp, Ronny Mauricio and Hayden Senger each had two hits. Hansel Moreno, Mark Vientos and Shervyen Newton recorded base knocks of their own. Senger, Mauricio and Newton delivered an RBI each. Strikeouts and a lack of longballs proved to be the only obvious separations between the two squads in the series finale.
Sunday's contest marks the conclusion of the Negro League Celebration at Segra Park. The two games between the Newark Eagles and Chattanooga Choo Choos are the most recent installment in a long list of memorable events in the Fireflies' four year history.
Columbia will continue its home stand with an upcoming three-game series against the Greenville Drive (BOS). Kids eat for free at Segra Park on Monday. Tuesday is another Supercuts $2 Tuesday. Wednesday will be the night of Columbia's Independence Day Celebration presented by Encompass Health.
The Reggie Sullivan Band will be performing at the Park prior to Wednesday night's game. There will also be a Happy Hour sale of $3 16oz Budweiser and Bud Light and half-priced all-you-can-play wristbands for the SCU KidsZone running from 5:30 - 7:00. You can also partake in an all-you-can-eat picnic on the Palmetto Picnic Pavilion. Tickets for the Family Picnic are $25 for adults and $19 for kids ages 3-7. You can call 803-726-4487 to reserve your spot.
Of course, no Independence Day Celebration can take place without a post-game fireworks show, which is also part of Wednesday night's itinerary. Tickets for Wednesday night and all other Fireflies home games are available at columbiafireflies.com.
South Atlantic League Stories from June 30, 2019
- Sharp Triples, Fireflies Fall in Hickory Finale - Columbia Fireflies
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- Rome's Big Seventh Inning Downs Drive - Greenville Drive
- Hoppers Roll to 10-1 Win over Claws on Sunday - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Fireflies Game Notes: June 30 vs. Hickory (Game 77) - Columbia Fireflies
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- Game Notes (June 30) - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Braves Win 7-6 and Take Series from Drive - Rome Emperors
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