July 28, 2022 – Carolina League (CarL) – Columbia Fireflies News Release
Columbia Fireflies’ Luinder Avila in Action
(Columbia Fireflies)
COLUMBIA, SC – The Fireflies weren’t able to keep pace with the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, falling in the 11th inning 5-4 at Atrium Health Ballpark Thursday night.
The Cannon Ballers (17-10) didn’t require a hit in extras to win the game, as Samil Polanco reached on a fielder’s choice and then Johnabiell Laureano hit a sacrifice bunt to first and a throwing error from Felix Familia plated the placed runner in extras, James Beard, and Polanco to walk-off the game.
The Fireflies (16-11) were able to produce a run in the top of the 11th. Familia hit a sacrifice bunt that allowed Erick Peña to move to third and then Dayton Dooney reached on a fielder’s choice to score Peña and put Columbia in front 4-3.
The Fireflies kicked-off the scoring in the top of the first on a double steal attempt where River Town scored as Carter Jensen was caught stealing second. The next inning, the Fireflies added a run on an Omar Hernandez solo shot to left field, his first of the season, which granted the Fireflies a 2-0 lead over Kannapolis.
The Fireflies close out the work week with a 7 pm contest with the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers tomorrow night at Atrium Health Ballpark. LHP Frank Mozzicato (0-4, 5.63 ERA) gets the nod for the Fireflies and Kannapolis turns to LHP Brooks Gosswein (3-5, 4.14 ERA).
Starter Luinder Avila spun five innings, allowing only one run in the fifth before exiting the game. Next, after Ryan Hennen recorded a single out, the game entered a rain delay.
After the game resumed, Jonatan Bernal allowed a pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth, as Samil Polanco singled up the middle to score DJ Gladney and Benyamin Bailey to tie the game 3-3.
The Fireflies return home to Segra Park August 2, where they’ll face the Charleston RiverDogs at home for the first time in the 2022 season. We have a week jam-packed with promotions, including Paw Patrol Night August 6! Tickets are available at FirefliesTickets.com.
Images from this story
• Discuss this story on the Carolina League message board…
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at OurSports Central Carolina League CarL News…