Valdez's Three RBI Night Propel Fireflies to 6-2 Win
April 12, 2022 - Carolina League (CarL)
Columbia Fireflies News Release
Enrique Valdez of the Columbia Fireflies
(Columbia Fireflies)
COLUMBIA, SC - The Columbia Fireflies used three RBI from their third baseman and a three run ninth to halt a Charleston RiverDogs rally and win the series opener 6-2 Tuesday night at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Ballpark.
A Fireflies (2-2) three spot in the sixth helped keep the RiverDogs (2-2) at bay. Carter Jensen led the frame off with a walk and moved to the second station when Guillermo Quintana kept the line moving when he deposited a single to left. Then, with one out, Omar Hernandez smoked a double to left to score Jensen. The next batter, Enrique Vasquez bounced out to second, which was enough to plate Quintana and put the Fireflies up 6-2.
Following a Darryl Collins lead-off single, Vasquez got the party started for the Fireflies, plating the left fielder with a double to left-center field in the second inning. The young infielder wasn't done there. Vasquez kept it going with a second RBI double in the fourth to score Omar Hernandez. The third baseman finished with a pair of doubles and three RBIs, which is tied for his career-high.
Vasquez isn't the only Fireflies player that had the bat going. Jensen slugged his first homer of the season in the fourth. The blast travelled over the right field fence to extend the Fireflies lead to 2-0.
While the pitching staff issued 12 walks, the arms did an incredible job of keeping runs off the board. Southpaw Rylan Kaufman (W, 1-0) came in in a jam and stranded one of his inherited runners on his way to 2.1 scoreless innings of relief work. The second-year Fireflies player finished with three strikeouts. He handed the ball to Chase Wallace (H, 1), who spun 2.1 scoreless innings before John McMillon finished the game by tossing his second scoreless outing of the season. Both worked behind Wander Arias, who allowed two runs, only one of which was earned across a 3.1 inning start. The southpaw recorded eight strikeouts, a season-high for the Fireflies.
The squad allowed just one hit after Mason Auer led-off the game with a triple for Charleston.
Columbia continues their series with the Charleston RiverDogs at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Ballpark tomorrow at 7:05 pm. RHP Ben Hernandez (0-0, 0.00 ERA) gets the ball for the Fireflies and RHP JJ Goss (0-0, 0.00 ERA) toes the rubber for the RiverDogs.
The Fireflies will return home April 19 where they'll play the Down East Wood Ducks for the first time. Down East will be in the Soda City for six games, including a t-shirt giveaway on Friday and a post-game fireworks show Saturday. For more information, visit ColumbiaFireflies.com.
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 Enrique Valdez of the Columbia Fireflies |
Carolina League Stories from April 12, 2022
- Cannon Baller Chronicle: Ballers Sweep Woodpeckers on Opening Weekend - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Pelicans Walk-Off Winners in Home Opener - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Missed Opportunities Haunt RiverDogs in 6-2 Loss to Fireflies - Charleston RiverDogs
- Early Rally Not Enough in 6-2 Loss in Fredericksburg - Carolina Mudcats
- Valdez's Three RBI Night Propel Fireflies to 6-2 Win - Columbia Fireflies
- FredNats Arms Shine in Home-Opening Win - Fredericksburg Nationals
- 'Birds Ride Six-Run First, Solid Pitching, to Victory over 'Cats - Delmarva Shorebirds
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- Columbia Fireflies April 12 Game Notes - Columbia Fireflies
- Rally Towel Giveaway, Thirsty Thursday, and World Series Trophy Headline First Homestand - Augusta GreenJackets
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