Warbirds Put the 'Walk' in Walk-Off; Down Columbia 5-4
Published on August 14, 2026 under Carolina League (CarL)
Wilson Warbirds News Release
WILSON, N.C. - The Wilson Warbirds were walk-off winners for the 13th time this season, defeating the Columbia Fireflies 5-4 in 11 innings on Friday night at Wilson Ballpark.
Wilson (59-50, 23-20 second half) took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning as Juan Ortuño and Brady Ebel came around to score on solid situational hitting by Brailyn Antunez and Handelfry Encarnacion.
Columbia (55-55, 21-23 second half) answered back with a Josh Hammond RBI groundout in the top of the third.
The Warbirds responded with Brailyn Antunez hitting his second solo shot in as many days to increase the lead to 3-1.
Trailing 4-1 in the top of the eighth inning, Columbia came alive by putting two on with just one out. JC Vanek mashed a three-run home run over the right field fence to tie the game at four.
For the second time in the series, nine innings weren't enough to decide a winner.
After a scoreless tenth inning, Thomas Conrad (W, 5-3) worked a scoreless eleventh to set the table for the Wilson bats. With the bases loaded and one down, Randy Ramnarace (L, 0-6) walked in Juan Ortuño to hand the Warbirds a 5-4 win.
The win was Wilson's 13th walk-off victory of the year to lead all of professional baseball. Furthermore, the Warbirds now sit a season-high nine games over .500.
Having won the series, Wilson will play Columbia again tomorrow on Marvel night at 7:05. RHP Diustin Mayorquin (2-0, 1.42) will throw for the Warbirds against RHP Jose Gutierrez (8-4, 4.23).
Carolina League Stories from August 14, 2026
- Fayetteville Takes Series over FredNats in Marathon Victory - Fayetteville Woodpeckers
- Pelicans' Late-Inning Comeback Thwarted by Howlers, 11-7 - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- FredNats Drop 4th Game in a Row - Fredericksburg Nationals
- Fitzwater's Home Run Makes Difference to Even Series for Ballers Friday - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Warbirds Put the 'Walk' in Walk-Off; Down Columbia 5-4 - Wilson Warbirds
- Vanek Hits 12th Homer in Extra Innings Loss - Columbia Fireflies
- RidgeYaks Top Shorebirds to Even Series - Delmarva Shorebirds
- GreenJackets Rained out Friday Night at Home - Augusta GreenJackets
- RiverDogs Announce 2027 Schedule, Celebrating 30 Seasons at the Joe - Charleston RiverDogs
- Columbia Fireflies Homestand Preview: August 18-30 - Columbia Fireflies
- 2027 Schedule Announced - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Fireflies Announce 2027 Season Schedule - Columbia Fireflies
- Columbia Fireflies Game Notes at Wilson 8.14 - Columbia Fireflies
- Warbirds Announce 2027 Schedule - Wilson Warbirds
- Pelicans Put up Six Runs in Eighth, Pummel Howlers 11-4 - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
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