MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Columbia earned its first win of the series in a 4-3 victory over the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Saturday night at Pelicans Ballpark.
Myrtle Beach got the scoring started in the first inning. Alexis Hernandez opened the inning with a single before a pair of walks loaded the bases. Jose Escobar then delivered a two-run single to give the Pelicans an early 2-0 lead.
Columbia broke through in the fifth. Daniel Lopez reached on a fielding error and Josi Novas worked a walk to set the table. Yandel Ricardo then singled to load the bases before Josh Hammond drew a walk to bring in the Fireflies first run. Brooks Bryan then bounced an infield single to short to score Novas and tie the game 2-2.
The Fireflies grabbed the lead in the top of the seventh after Novas reached second on a throwing error and advanced to third after a Yandel Ricardo sacrifice bunt. Hammond then grounded out to the pitcher Hayden Frank, allowing Novas to score and give Columbia the 3-2 lead.
Myrtle Beach answered in the bottom half of the inning when Michael Carico worked a two-out walk and stole second before Logan Poteet lined a single to center to score Carico and tie the game at 3-3.
Columbia responded again in the eighth. Hyungchan Um reached on an infield single before Roni Cabrera came in as a pinch runner. Stone Russell followed with a single to put runners at the corners. After Russell swiped second, Lopez grounded into a fielder's choice that allowed Cabrera to score the go-ahead run and put the Fireflies back in front 4-3.
Sean Gamble sealed the win in the ninth, making a running catch at the wall in left-center field to record the final out.
Columbia closes out their series with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans tomorrow night at 6:35 pm at Pelicans Ballpark. RHP Kendry Chourio (0-0, 1.42 ERA) toes the rubber for Columbia and Myrtle Beach counters with RHP Noah Edders (0-2, 7.36 ERA).
The Fireflies return home May 12 for a six-game series with the Hickory Crawdads. The homestand will include Touch a Truck Night, May 15, with big rigs throughout the ballpark and a hard hat giveaway for the first 1,000 in attendance, thanks to E.F. Martin. The club will also host Star Wars Night presented by O.B. One Communications Saturday, May 16. Stick around post-game for a galactic fireworks show. Buy your tickets now at FirefliesTickets.com.