Fireflies Fall to Augusta on Thursday Night

AUGUSTA, GA – Columbia fell to Augusta on Thursday night, 3-2, even despite Gaby Almonte’s career day on the mound. The right-hander tied a career-high going eight innings at Lake Olmstead Stadium but the GreenJackets’ late runs doomed the Dominican starter.

The Fireflies gave their starter a quick lead in the first frame. Eudor Garcia doubled home Jeff Diehl to put the club up, 1-0. That was the third baseman’s first RBI as a Firefly; Garcia finished with a pair of hits. With Garcia in scoring position, Vicente Lupo singled home Columbia’s (5-10, 41-44) second run.

Almonte (L, 1-2) blanked his opposition for 5.2 innings. But with a runner aboard in the sixth, Augusta (9-6, 45-40) catcher Matt Pare smacked a two-run home run to tie the score.

GreenJackets’ starter Domenic Mazza quieted Columbia’s bats the rest of the way. The lefty struck out 11 batters over 7.2 innings. Ryan Halstead (W, 2-3) secured the win for the home team.

Miguel Gomez plated what proved to be the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth. Columbia has dropped seven straight games to Augusta.

The teams square off again on Friday night at Lake Olmstead Stadium at 7:05 p.m. The Fireflies send right-hander Joe Shaw (4-6, 4.72) to the mound to face righty Matt Solter (2-0, 5.54).

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 7:00 p.m.