Columbia, SC – Early offense and stout pitching led the Charleston RiverDogs to a 5-3 win over the Columbia Fireflies on Wednesday night at Segra Park.
The RiverDogs opened scoring in a big way in the top of the first when Cooper Flemming doubled home Slater de Brun to make it 1-0. The next hitter was Taitn Gray who lined an RBI single to center, pushing the lead to two.
In the second, the RiverDogs rallied for more, placing runners at the corners for Flemming who rolled an RBI single to right.
After Flemming stole second, Gray pounded a two-run single to center to push Charleston ahead 5-0.
Starter Jordi Infante delivered two scoreless innings and then handed the ball to Miguel Toscano. After the righty cruised through two frames, Columbia rallied for three runs against him in the bottom of the fifth, cutting Charleston’s lead to two.
Multiple RiverDogs finished the night with multi hit performances, including Gray who earned his second consecutive three-hit evening. He is now 15-for-29 over his last eight games.
Grady Emerson also tallied three knocks, including his first pro triple which came in the fourth inning. He is 4-for-8 in the series.
Relivers Cesar De Jesus and Riley Stanford were strong out of the pen, teaming up to shutout Columbia over the game’s final four innings. Stanford earned his third career save in the process.
After the win, the RiverDogs moved to 68-54 and 31-25 in the second half, while Columbia fell to 60-61, and 25-30 in the second half. The two return to the park tomorrow for game three of the series. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. with coverage beginning at 6:50 on the RiverDogs Broadcast Network.
Let Freedom Bark
After clinching the Carolina League South first half title, the RiverDogs have secured a spot in the 2026 postseason, presented by Nucor Steel Berkeley. The best-of-three Division Series begins on Tuesday, September 8. Thanks to their first-half division title, the RiverDogs are guaranteed to host Game 2, and, if necessary, Game 3, at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park on September 10 and 11.
Single-game postseason tickets are on sale now. For more information, visit RiverDogs.com.