Fireflies Game Notes: April 16 @ Augusta (Game 11)

Columbia Fireflies (7-3) at Augusta GreenJackets (2-8)

RHP Colin Holderman (1-0, 0.0) vs. LHP Caleb Barager (0-0, 4.50)

Sunday, April 16, 2017 — Lake Olmstead Stadium (Augusta, GA) — First Pitch 2:05 p.m. — Game 11

LISTEN: ESPN Columbia 94.9 FM & 1230 AM / ColumbiaFireflies.com / TuneIn Radio App

ABOUT LAST GAME: The Fireflies posted their fourth shut-out win of the season on Saturday, a 1-0 victory over Augusta. Starter Merandy Gonzalez was indomitable. The righty hurled 7.2 IP - using just 91 pitches - and scattered just four hits. Of those 91 pitches, 73 were strikes (an impressive 80%). The 21-year-old issued no walks and at one point retired 13 consecutive batters. Gonzalez has yet to allow a run in two starts (2-0 record in 13.2 innings). 

0 0 0 0: Columbia’s fourth shut-out win of the year comes on the tenth day of the season. In 2016, the Fireflies posted their fourth shut-out victory on August 11. This year’s team has nearly a four-month head start of eclipsing that mark that was set a year ago. Only one other South Atlantic League team this year has as many as two shut-outs wins.

(DON’T) WALK, DON’T RUN: For the second time this season, Columbia’s pitchers did not issue a walk in a game (the other occasion occurring on Thursday, April 13 - Jordan Humphreys and Max Kuhns). The pitching staff has allowed just 30 walks in ten games (3 per game). The GreenJackets are surrendering 5.2 walks per game.

IF THAT’S NOT ENOUGH?: Columbia’s pitchers have allowed just 65 hits this season (6.5 per game) - the lowest total in the South Atlantic League.

NO COMEBACKS: Columbia is a perfect 7-0 when leading after six innings.

STREAKING: With a single in the second inning on Saturday night, Dash Winningham extended his on-base streak to 10 games. Winningham also leads the South Atlantic League with 11 RBIs.