Augusta Earns Walk-Off Win Against Fireflies

AUGUSTA, GA (Fireflies) – Vicente Lupo clubbed two doubles on Friday night, but Columbia fell to Augusta in walk-off fashion, 8-7, at Lake Olmstead Stadium. Lupo picked up his sixth two-hit game and fourth multi-RBI game of the season.

The Fireflies scored in their first at-bats again. After Kevin Kaczmarski and Eudor Garcia set up shop, Lupo punched a two-bagger to left field to score both runners. Lupo eventually scored thanks to a GreenJackets fielding error to give Columbia (5-11, 41-45) a quick 3-0 edge.

Augusta’s (10-6, 46-40) Skyler Ewing blasted a solo home run in the bottom of the second to narrow Columbia’s lead to two runs.

It didn’t take long for the Fireflies to bolster their advantage. Eight batters came to the plate in the top of the third. Tyler Moore drove in a pair of runs with a single and newest Firefly Dale Burdick collected his first hit and RBI with the team – lining a double to the left-center field gap. Heading to the last of the third, Columbia was on top, 6-1.

The GreenJackets mimicked their opposition, also sending eight men to the dish in the home half of the third. Four runs scored on just two hits against Fireflies starter Joe Shaw.

The home team added two more runs in the fourth frame to tilt the seesaw its way. Jalen Miller reached base safely on a dropped third strike and Miguel Gomez followed with a base hit up the middle. Then Dillon Dobson singled to plate Miller and tie the game. With Gomez at third base, a Columbia balk enabled him to score.

In the top of the sixth, Kaczmarski reached with a base hit and advanced to second moments later on a wild pitch. Garcia pounded a single to right field to knot the game back up, 7-7.

Augusta’s bats came through in the bottom of the ninth. Seth Harrison replaced Matt Winn, who got on base with a fielder’s choice, as a pinch runner. Johneshwy Fargas roped a base hit down the left-field line off of Columbia reliever Seth Davis (L, 2-2) to score Harrison.

Six of 12 contests between the Fireflies and GreenJackets have been decided by one run. Augusta’s Ryan Koziol (W, 4-3) picked up the win.

Game three of the series is on Saturday evening with a 6:05 p.m. first pitch at Lake Olmstead Stadium. Columbia turns to right-hander Chase Ingram (4-7, 5.16). He battles on the mound against righty Grant Watson (2-5, 5.28).

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 5:45 p.m.