The Charleston RiverDogs split their doubleheader with the Hill City Howlers, taking game one 7-6 and falling in game two 7-5 in front of 4,822 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park on Sunday.
In game one on Saturday night, the Howlers jumped out to a 1-0 lead when Deiten Lachance blasted a solo homer to left. Following the solo shot, the game was suspended due to severe rain and lightning.
The two clubs resumed the contest this afternoon, and the RiverDogs quickly tied the game in the bottom of the third when Dean Moss lined an RBI single to left.
Hill City jumped in front again in the fifth before Charleston responded quick on another RBI single from Moss to tie the game.
Still even at 2-2 in the seventh, the Howlers grabbed the lead on a Lachance RBI single. Charleston later pushed ahead 5-3 after Tom Poole barreled an RBI double to right.
Hill City evened the score in the eighth and took the lead in the ninth, before the RiverDogs rallied again.
With runners at the corners, Poole rolled a grounder to first to score Moss and tie the game at 6-6. The next hitter was Angel Mateo who lined a walk-off single to left to secure the 7-6 victory.
The walk-off win marked the RiverDogs’ third in a row, and 14th on the season, the most of any team across all levels of baseball this year.
In game two, the RiverDogs struck first when Cooper Flemming rolled a two-run single to center. In the process he earned his 70th run batted in of the season, becoming the 16th RiverDog to reach the threshold since at least 2005, and first since 2022.
Hill City rallied for the lead with a three-run fifth, before the RiverDogs evened the score when Jack Lines barreled an RBI double.
Both sides traded runs in the eighth before the Howlers jumped out to a three-run lead behind a Johan Rodriguez three-run homer.
The RiverDogs pushed across one run in the bottom of the ninth, but their comeback bid fell short capping scoring at 7-5.
After the split, the RiverDogs moved to 67-53 and 30-24 in the second half, while Hill City moved to 51-68, and 20-34 in the second half. After a day off on Monday, the RiverDogs begin a six-game road series versus the Columbia Fireflies. 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.
Ballpark Fun:
The ballpark came to life as Bluey made her first-ever visit to The Joe. Kids of all ages filled the concourse for photos and the chance to meet the beloved cartoon character. Throughout the day, fans played Bluey’s favorite game, “Keepie Uppies,” with select fans challenged to keep a balloon in the air for as long as possible. After the game, kids had the opportunity to run the bases, capping off a full day of fun at the park.