MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (September 1, 2026). – The Myrtle Beach Pelicans (20-40, 47-77) fell in the series opener against the Columbia Fireflies (30-30, 64-62) 13-6 at Pelicans Ballpark on Sunday night. With the loss, the Pelicans fall behind the Fireflies 0-1 in the weeklong series.
Alexis Hernandez (4) was one of the bright spots in the order for the Pelicans as he smashed a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth to cut the deficit to 13-5.
The Pelicans started the scoring in the bottom of the first. Corey Nunez hit a double and then stole third base. A batter later a wild pitch scored Nunez to give the Birds a 1-0 lead.
The Fireflies jumped ahead in the top of the third. Jhonayker Ugarte singled and then scored on an RBI triple from Daniel Lopez to tie the game 1-1. Henry Ramos followed with an RBI single to move the lead to 2-1. After Ramos stole second, he scored on an RBI single from Camden Johnson to increase the score to 3-1.
Columbia added three more runs in the top of the fourth, capped off by two bases loaded walks brought the score to 6-1.
Myrtle Beach struck back in the bottom of the fourth. Caden Sorrell singled and then scored on an RBI triple from Eli Lovich to make the game 6-2. The next batter Hernandez ripped an RBI single to slice the deficit in half 6-3.
In the top of the fifth, Connor Rasmussen walked and then moved to second on a single from Ricson Gonzalez. After a balk, Lopez grounded out to shortstop which brought home Rasmussen to make the score 7-3.
The Fireflies added three more runs in the top of the sixth on a three-run home run from Rasmussen (4) to extend the lead to 10-3.
Myrtle Beach attempted to mount a rally in the bottom of the sixth. Sorrell and Derik Alcantara led off the frame with singles. Then following a lineout, Derniche Valdez cracked an RBI single to cut the deficit to 10-4.
Columbia added one more run to bring the Fireflies lead to 11-4 in the top of the seventh when JC Vanek lined an RBI single.
After the Fireflies put up two more runs in the top of the eighth to push the advantage to 13-4, courtesy of a two-run single from Ugarte.
The Pelicans scored once more in the bottom of the ninth. Darlyn De Leon singled and then moved to second on a throwing error on an errant pickoff attempt. After a wild pitch moved De Leon to third, Nunez smacked an RBI single to cut the lead down to 13-6
RHP Michael Braswell III (2-1, 3.45) received the win for the Fireflies. RHP Jubrayker Salaya (0-2, 6.35) was tagged with the loss for the Pelicans.
Myrtle Beach will continue their final homestand of the 2026 season on Wednesday, September 2 against the Columbia Fireflies (Single-A Royals) at Pelicans Ballpark. First pitch is slated for 7:05 PM. LHP Hayden Frank (3-9, 5.15) gets the start on the hill for the Pelicans. RHP Michael Lombardi (2-4, 3.77) will get the nod on the mound for the Fireflies.
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