Ivan Wilson Homers in Saturday Night Loss

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Fireflies) — Ivan Wilson smashed his third home run of the season on Saturday night but it wasn’t enough to defeat Kannapolis — the Intimidators took down Columbia, 7-2, at Spirit Communications Park. Wilson’s mammoth long ball in the eighth inning cleared the left-field wall and nearly left the park entirely on the fly. The outfielder has reached base safely in six straight games.

For the 16th time this season (in just 23 games), Columbia (13-10) scored first. The Fireflies are jumping on the scoreboard before their opponents 70% of the time this year. The scoring started in the second frame. Dash Winningham walked against starter Zach Thompson (W, 1-2) and eventually moved over to third base. It was Milton Ramos who lined a base hit through the hole on the left side of the infield to plate Winningham. The home team led, 1-0.

The Kannapolis (9-14) bats woke up in the third and fourth innings, scoring five runs in the frames off of Tyler Badamo (L, 1-2). With the bases full in the fourth, Cleuluis Rondon’s double scored everyone to give the visitors the 5-1 advantage.

Wilson’s home run in the eighth was immediately answered in the top of the ninth. Brad Strong doubled and scored on an error and later Corey Zangari plated Tyler Sullivan with a single.

The Fireflies continue their series with the Intimidators on Sunday afternoon at Spirit Communications Park starting at 2:05 p.m. Right-hander Joe Shaw (2-1, 2.81) toes the rubber for Columbia and faces Kannapolis lefty Tanner Banks (4-0, 2.49).

You can listen to the action on WGCV 620 AM, 105.1 and 96.3 FM, ColumbiaFireflies.com and the TuneIn Radio app starting at 1:45 p.m.