Conlon, Fireflies Blank RiverDogs 7-0
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Fireflies) — The Fireflies turned the tables on Charleston and shut out the RiverDogs on Wednesday afternoon, 7-0. P.J. Conlon picked up his second win of the year, striking out a career-high six batters over six innings. The lefty recorded both wins at Spirit Communications Park this week.
Columbia (7-7) is back to .500 after taking two of three from Charleston (10-4). Wednesday was also the second time this season the Fireflies shut out the RiverDogs — the previous coming on April 9 when Columbia no-hit their opponent.
Conlon’s (W, 2-0) changeup was terrific on Wednesday. Through three starts, the Placentia, California, native has allowed just two runs in 16.2 innings (1.08 ERA).
The bats were superb as well — every Firefly reached based safely. Columbia earned three early runs off of Cody Carroll (L, 0-1) in the first frame. Joe Tuschak and Dash Winninghamboth doubled in runs.
The home team stretched the lead to 5-0 in the third. Vinny Siena walked and later moved into scoring position when David Thompson singled. That set the table for another RBI chance for Winningham. He singled home Siena and the next batter, Jeff Diehl, plated Thompson.
Another run was placed up on the scoreboard in the fourth. Kevin Kaczmarski tripled, then tagged and scored from third after J.C. Rodriguez’s sacrifice fly.
In the bottom of the fifth, reliever Simon de la Rosa plunked Thompson to begin the inning. He then moved to second base after a wild pitch. Three hitters later, Natanael Ramosripped a double off of the left-field wall and Thompson raced around third base to score.
Not to be lost in the shuffle, Tyler Bashlor and Johnny Magliozzi worked three scoreless innings out of the bullpen for Columbia.
The Fireflies begin a four-game series with the Greenville Drive on Thursday night at Fluor Field starting at 7:05 p.m. Right-hander Thomas McIlraith (1-1, 2.53) toes the rubber for Columbia and faces righty Daniel Gonzalez (1-0, 1.80).
You can listen to the action on WGCV 620 AM and 105.1 FM, ColumbiaFireflies.com and the TuneIn Radio app starting at 7:00 p.m.
