Ingram Leads the Way in Fireflies’ Bounce Back Win
HAGERSTOWN, MD – The Fireflies jumped back into the win column in a big way on Thursday, defeating the Suns, 6-1, at Municipal Stadium. Columbia’s hitters tallied nine hits and starter Chase Ingram posted arguably his best start of the season. The Floridian picked up his fifth win of the year after scattering just four hits in 6.2 innings while also matching a career-high with eight strikeouts.
In four previous games, the Fireflies had never led Hagerstown (17-10, 60-37) in a game. The visitors never trailed on Thursday, though. Enmanuel Zabala – fresh off of his three-hit game the night before – helped get the scoring started in the third inning. Tyler Moore had already doubled to begin the frame and two batters later, Zabala plated him with a single. Zabala has hit safely in 16 of 20 games as a Firefly this season.
Columbia (7-19, 43-53) then chased Suns starter Jefry Rodriguez (L, 7-6) in the fourth. Dash Winningham and Milton Ramos both plated runs with singles into left field and Rodriguez walked a third run in with the bases loaded. It was 4-0 after four innings.
The only big hit of the night for the home team came in the fifth, when Angelo La Bruna tripled in Hagerstown’s lone run. It was the only blemish for Ingram (W, 5-9). Behind the righty, Johnny Magliozzi – pitching on his 25th birthday – and Tyler Bashlor combined to shut out the Suns the final 2.1 innings. The trio totaled 10 strikeouts.
Columbia’s lead grew in the seventh. J.C. Rodriguez ripped a two-bagger down the left-field line and reached third after a passed ball. Vicente Lupo’s groundout to short stop turned into an RBI. Brandon Brosher then socked his first home run as a Firefly in the eighth off of Mariano Rivera III.
The Fireflies can win the series against Hagerstown on Friday night behind the indomitable arm of Andrew Church (3-0, 0.42). The right-hander faces Suns righty Joan Baez (6-6, 4.44) in the series finale at 7:05 p.m.
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.
