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).