Top Storylines
- Coleman Picard worked 5.1 innings with five strikeouts. He allowed only two runs (one earned) off five hits in the start. Across his last two outings, Picard has spun 11.1 innings and has allowed three earned runs (2.38 ERA).
- Josh Hammond did not get a hit in an 0-5 effort for the Fireflies. He remains at 125 hits this season, one shy of tying the franchise record.
- Columbia committed multiple errors that contributed to Myrtle Beaches scoring, including two errors during the seventh inning rally.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Myrtle Beach scored five runs in the seventh inning to break open a 2-2 game as the Fireflies fell 7-2 to the Pelicans Friday Night at Pelicans Ballpark. Prior to the late rally, Coleman Picard led the way for the Fireflies. Columbia’s starter allowed only one earned run over 5.1 innings. He has twirled 11.1 innings while allowing only three earned runs in his last two starts.
Offensively, Columbia scored two runs in the first, but the bats fell silent following that. Henry Ramos set the table with a lead-off walk and Camden Johnson got a one-out single to set the table for the bottom of the order to break the scoreless tie.
Play-by-Play
Camden Johnson got Columbia on the board early with a line-drive single to shallow left field that plated Henry Ramos and gave the Fireflies a 1-0 advantage in the first. Johnson then stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error before Daniel Lopez reached safely on another defensive miscue, allowing Johnson to score and push Columbia's lead to 2-0.
Myrtle Beach cut into Columbia’s lead in the bottom of the second inning. Derik Alcantara and Jose Silva opened the frame with back-to-back singles before a throwing error moved both runners into scoring position. Ivan Cespedes then rolled a grounder to first, allowing Alcantara to score and make it a 2-1 game.
Coleman Picard settled in after allowing an unearned run in the second inning, keeping the Pelicans scoreless in the third and fourth inning before working into the sixth. Picard finished his outing with five strikeouts over 5.1 innings, allowing five hits and two runs, just one of which was earned.
Juan Tomas tied the game in the bottom of the fifth with a solo homer to right field, his first in a Pelicans uniform.
Myrtle Beach broke the game open in the seventh inning, scoring five runs against Dalton Hill (L, 2-1). Jose Silva singled and Ivan Cespedes walked before Darlyn De Leon singled to bring Silva home and give the Pelicans a 3-2 lead. Alexis Hernandez followed with a single to score Cespedes and an errant throw from Henry Ramos allowed De Leon to score and push Myrtle Beach’s lead to 5-2.
Hill’s night ended after the Myrtle Beach rally, with Yeri Perez entering in relief. Corey Nunez then reached on a grounder to first, but a throwing error by Tyson Moran sent the ball past the catcher, allowing Tomas and Hernandez to score and extend the Pelicans lead to 7-2.
Brandon Herbold closed out the night for Columbia. The southpaw set aside the Pelicans in order in the bottom of the eighth. He has retired the side in order in each of his last two appearances.
Riely Hunsaker got the start for the Pelicans and he matched Coleman Picard’s line. Hunsaker allowed two runs (one earned) over five innings before passing the ball to Myrtle Beach’s bullpen. The Pelicans saw Luis Mata (W, 1-2) earn the win with two scoreless innings and Victor Zarraga closed out the game with a pair of scoreless innings as well.
On-Deck
The Fireflies continue their series with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans tomorrow night at Pelicans Ballpark at 7:05 pm. RHP Jose Gutierrez (9-4, 3.64 ERA) takes the slab for Columbia and Myrtle Beach counters wtih RHP Freddy Rodriguez (0-3, 8.31 ERA)
Thank you for keeping up with the Fireflies for the 2026 season! Stay tuned for updates on off-season events at Segra Park and updates on the upcoming 2027 season. More details are available at FirefliesTickets.com.