Columbia, SC – The Charleston RiverDogs could not hold their early lead in their 3-2 loss to the Columbia Fireflies on Friday night at Segra Park.
With the defeat, the Fireflies jumped to a 3-1 series lead, and Charleston fell to 26-19 in one-run games.
The RiverDogs opened scoring in the top of the first when Taitn Gray sizzled an RBI double down the right-field line to make it 1-0. Later in the frame, Alberth Palma punched a flyball to right to extend the lead to two runs.
After a scoreless second, the Fireflies rallied with two outs in the third, when Henry Ramos and JC Vanek lined back-to-back RBI singles with two outs to knot tie the game.
Overall, Ethan Storm was stout, limiting Columbia to just two runs over 4.2 innings of work. Throughout the night, he fanned six hitters, one shy of a career-high mark.
Columbia later jumped in front in the bottom of the sixth when Jhosmel Zue lifted a sacrifice fly to right.
In the top of the ninth, the RiverDogs placed the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position, but their comeback bid fell short as Andy Basora evaded the jam to record the game’s final out.
Throughout the night, Columbia pitching limited Charleston to just one hit over the game’s final five frames.
With the loss, the RiverDogs fell to 68-56 and 31-27 in the second half, while Columbia moved to 62-61, and 27-30 in the second half. The two return to the park tomorrow for game five of the series. First pitch is slated for 6:05 p.m. with coverage beginning at 5:50 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.