WATCH Fireflies Get First Win Over Kannapolis, 9-2
COLUMBIA, SC (Fireflies) — The Fireflies raced past the Intimidators on Friday night winning, 9-2, at Spirit Communications Park. Left-hander Kevin Canelon (W, 1-1) threw six innings of two-run ball and picked up his first win of the season.
The Columbia (13-9) offense picked Canelon up quickly. Jeff Diehl started the second inning with a base hit up the middle. After Joe Tuschak walked, Milton Ramos dumped a single into right to score Diehl from second base. Two batters later, Vicente Lupo stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and roped a line drive base knock into center field to plate Tuschak and Ramos. Later, the Fireflies tacked on another run, and led 4-0 after two innings.
Kannapolis (8-14) starter Ryan Riga (L, 0-3) tried to settle down in the third, but Diehl had a different plan. The imposing, 6-foot-4 righty struck a long ball the other way over the right-field wall for his third home run of the season.
The visitors threatened in the fourth with some two-out magic. Kannapolis catcher Seby Zavala laced a triple to right and Cody Dailey followed with a single to put Kannapolis on the board. Dante Flores mirroed Zavala’s act with a triple as well, which scored Dailey. The Fireflies still led at the end of the frame, 5-2.
Columbia responded with a run in the fourth inning thanks to Lupo. The Venezuelan outfielder mashed a triple to right-center field to score Jose Garcia all the way from first base. Lupo finished the night with three RBIs.
The home team padded its four-run lead in the seventh. Following a Lupo walk and J.C. Rodriguez base hit, David Thompson tagged a double to the left-center field gap. Two more runs scored to inflate Thompson’s RBI total to 27 this season.
Columbia’s bullpen shut the door efficiently. Craig Missigman and Nicco Blank combined for three, scoreless innings.
The Fireflies resume their battle with Kannapolis on Saturday night at Spirit Communications Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Righty Tyler Badamo (1-1, 5.09) toes the rubber and opposes right-hander Zach Thompson (0-2, 6.23).
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 6:45 p.m.
