Columbia Fireflies Game Notes July 30 at Kannapolis

July 30, 2022 – Carolina League (CarL) – Columbia Fireflies News Release

The Fireflies kick-off their weekend tonight with a 7 pm contest with the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers at Atrium Health Ballpark. RHP Ben Kudrna (1-4, 3.12 ERA) runs up the hill for the Fireflies, while Kannapolis counters with righty Norge Vera (0-2, 2.14 ERA).

Columbia returns home to Segra Park August 2-7 to play the Charleston RiverDogs. You’ll want to get to the game early August 5, as the Fireflies are giving out a lunchbox to the first 1,000 fans through the gates on Back to School Night, presented by Webster University. We’ll also be hosting Nickelodeon PAW Patrol Night presented by SC DSS August 6 that’ll include appearances from Chase and Marshall! Tickets are available at FirefliesTickets.com.

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EARLY OFFENSE PAVES WAY FOR MOZZICATO WIN: Frank Mozzicato earned his first professional win behind a booming offense in Columbia’s 7-6 victory over the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers Friday night at Atrium Health Ballpark. Fireflies (16-11) starter Frank Mozzicato (W, 1-4) earned his first professional win, spinning five innings while allowing only one hit. The southpaw also wrung up a career-high seven hitters in the contest. The Columbia bats etched a lead in the score column early, beginning with a Jaswel De Los Santos base knock up the middle that plated Omar Hernandez. Next, a double steal and throwing error allowed Omar Florentino to push the Fireflies in front 2-1 in the top of the second. A Jean Ramirez single scoring De Los Santos gave the Fireflies a run of insurance prior to a wild pitch putting the Fireflies up 4-1 before the end of the second. The bats stayed hot in the third as Hernandez laced a double to left to score Guillermo Quintana. Next, Florentino singled to bring in Hernandez and put the Fireflies in front 6-1. Finally, Daniel Vazquez looped a sacrifice fly to right to close out the scoring, plating Florentino.

POSITIVE STRIDES IN THE PEN: Righties Shane Connolly and Luis Barroso have found their grooves in the month of July in the bullpen. The two have combined to allow just one earned run in 14.2 innings across the month. Connolly’s ERA has dipped from 9.67 after his outing vs Carolina June 18 to 7.34 following his 1.1 innings yesterday. For Barroso, he’s seen his ERA drop from 7.54 after his loss to Charleston June 23 to 5.05 after a pair of scoreless frames yesterday.

STERLING STARTERS: After Frank Mozzicato spun five innings, allowing just one run…