Fireflies finish second season with loss at Rome

ROME, Ga. (WOLO) – Hosting the South Atlantic League All-Star Game. Welcoming a record crowd of nearly 10,000 people for a total solar eclipse. A new single season attendance record.

And a half of a season featuring Tim Tebow on the roster.

A memorable second season in the Midlands came to an end on the road on Labor Day. The Columbia Fireflies 2017 campaign closed Monday with a 4-2 loss to the Braves, their third defeat in a row.

Columbia finishes the season with a 68-70 overall mark (40-28 first half – 28-42 second half).

Rome (73-65) jumped ahead in the first inning. Isranel Wilson walked and buzzed to third base on Jordan Rodgers’ single. Two hitters later, Lucas Herbert bashed a single that scored Wilson.

The home team built its lead to 3-0 in the fifth. First, Kevin Josephina scored from third on a wild pitch. Later in the inning, Wilson singled and the came all the way on Rodgers’ base hit to left field.

The Fireflies fell behind 4-0 in the seventh but cut the deficit in half the following half inning. Jay Jabs doubled to begin the frame and Oliver Pascual waked. The next batter, Arnaldo Berrios, struck out, but Herbert dropped the baseball. It kicked away from the catcher and both runners moved into scoring position. Carpio ripped a two-run single moments later.

Justin Brantley (L, 2-4) gutted through seven innings on the mound for Columbia (68-70). The right-hander struck out six. Brantley ended the year with four straight starts with at least six punch-outs. Ryan Schlosser (W, 1-7) picked up the victory for the Braves

Columbia opens the 2018 season on Thursday, April 5 against the Augusta GreenJackets. Get your tickets for the 2018 season now by visiting FirefliesTickets.com or calling the box office at (803) 726-4487. Check back at ColumbiaFireflies.com this week for an extensive breakdown of the 2017 season!