Top Storylines
- The Fireflies rallied to score three runs in the bottom of the eighth with two outs to take a 6-3 lead late. Yandel Ricardo had the big knock, a two-run single, to propel the frame.
- Michael Lombardi struck out seven batters over four innings in his start. The righty now has 121 strikeouts on the season, which is good for the fourth-most in a single season in Fireflies history.
- The Fireflies pitching staff combined for 19 strikeouts in the nine-inning game, their second-most in a nine-inning game in franchise history. David Sandlin, Steven Zobac, Samuel Valerio and Eduardo Herrera combined for 20 strikeouts April 14, 2023 at Charleston.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Michael Lombardi led the way for the Fireflies pitching staff to etch 19 strikeouts in a nine-inning game, which is the second most in a game in Fireflies history, in a 6-3 win over the Augusta GreenJackets Wednesday night. Lombardi struck out seven over four innings, Jesus Oliveira had two punchouts with his pair of outs. After that Randy Ramnarace and Justin LeGuernic both struck out four before Yeri Perez fanned a pair to close out the night.
The Fireflies franchise record for strikeouts in a game is 20. David Sandlin, Steven Zobac, Samuel Valerio and Eduardo Herrera combined to do it April 14, 2023 at Charleston.
Columbia got a late rally to charge ahead of the GreenJackets in the bottom of the eighth inning. After loading the bases with no one out, back-to-back plays at the plate kept the game tied with Yandel Ricardo stepping up to the plate. Styven Paez threw a wild pitch to score Jhonayker Ugarte to break the stalemate and then Ricardo laced a single to left to score Daniel Lopez and Henry Ramos to knock out the GreenJackets and take a 6-3 advantage.
Play-by-Play
The Fireflies drove ahead with a late rally. After Styven Paez (L, 0-1) threw a wild pitch to plate Jhonayker Ugarte to give the Fireflies a 4-3 lead, Yandel Ricardo laced a single to right to score a pair to complete a three-run rally driving Columbia to a 6-3 win.
The pitching staff made history for the Fireflies. Michael Lombardi set the tone with seven strikeouts over four innings. The seven strikeouts gave him 121 on the season, surpassing Michael Canelon’s 119 in 2016 for the fourth-most in a single season in Fireflies history.
After that, Jesus Oliveira struck out two, Randy Ramnarace and Justin LeGuernic (W, 1-0) both punched out four and Yeri Perez (S, 4) closed out the night with a pair of strikeouts in the ninth to give Columbia 19 strikeouts on the night, their second-most in franchise history, just one behind the team’s April 14, 2023 win over the Charleston RiverDogs.
Columbia hopped on the scoreboard first in the bottom of the first inning. Henry Ramos blooped a single to center and then Josh Hammond doubled to the gap to place runners on second and third. After a Camden Johnson walk, Tyson Moran lined a single through the left side to plate Ramos and Hammond to give the Fireflies a 2-0 lead.
Columbia added a run in the second. After a Daniel Lopez double to start the frame, Hammond came up with the bases loaded and grounded out to third to bring Lopez around to push the Fireflies advantage to 3-0.
Augusta struck back in the third inning. The GreenJackets got two runs off a two-out single from Jacob Jarrell to cut Columbia’s lead to 3-2. On the play, Joe Olsavsky and Caleb Klein came around to score.
On-Deck
Columbia continues their series with the Augusta GreenJackets tomorrow night at Segra Park at 7:05 pm. RHP Ryan McDonagh (2-4, 6.44 ERA) takes the slab for Columbia and Augusta counters with RHP Davis Polo (7-5, 3.19 ERA).
Tomorrow night is Synchronized Hippos Night on a Budweiser Thirsty Thursday. How far can you take one mistakenly funny Jeopardy question? At least as far as we’re going for Synchronized Hippos night. The Fireflies are wearing Synchronized Hippos jerseys, hosting trivia and even bringing Lauren, the contestant who answered hippos to the game. Enjoy $1.50 hot dogs and Budweisers while you’re here and remember—it all goes to a good cause. Proceeds from jersey sales will go to Congaree National Park.