Columbia, SC – Despite tying the game late, the Charleston RiverDogs fell 4-2 in the series opener with the Columbia Fireflies on Tuesday night at Segra Park.
The RiverDogs struck first in the top of the second when Alberth Palma brought Taitn Gray home with an RBI ground out.
The Fireflies responded in the bottom of the third on a JC Vanek sacrifice fly that evened the score at 1-1.
Aidan Haugh was strong, delivering five innings of one-run ball. Across two starts at Segra Park this year, he has limited the Fireflies to just one run across 12 frames.
Columbia jumped in front in the bottom of the seventh when Camden Johnson powered a solo shot to left.
Charleston provided an instant response in the top of the eighth. After Slater de Brun was hit by a pitch to open the inning, Grady Emerson dribbled an high chopper up the middle. While the Columbia second basemen Johnson was able to smother the roller with a slide, Emerson beat out the throw to secure his first professional hit.
With runners at first and second, Gray pounded an RBI single to center that scored de Brun and tied the game. He finished the night 3-for-4, and is now 12-for-25 with six extra-base hits over the last week. The performance marked his sixth game as a professional notching three-or-more hits.
Vanek broke the 2-2 deadlock in the bottom of the frame, blasting a two-run shot to right, capping scoring at 4-2.
After the loss, the RiverDogs fell to 67-54 and 30-25 in the second half, while Columbia moved to 60-60, and 25-29 in the second half. The two return to the park tomorrow for game two 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.