Photo via Carolina Mudcats on X
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May 3rd, 2024
Zebulon, NC– The Carolina Mudcats (18-7) played host to the Columbia Fireflies (13-11) for Friday’s action at Five County Stadium. The Mudcats started the day 2.0 games ahead of the Fredericksburg Nationals (17-8) in the North Division. The Mudcats sent Josh Knoth (0-2), to the mound for his 5th start while sporting a 3.09 ERA in 11.2 innings. The starter for Columbia was Blake Wolters (0-0) who had a 4.26 ERA in 12.2 innings.
In the top of the first, Columbia scored the first run on a lead-off double by Erick Torres and a pair of ground outs to make it 1-0. The Fireflies threatened in the top of the second, but the Mudcats prevented them from scoring by getting a inning ending strikeout. In the top of the fourth, Columbia would expand their lead by 5 runs with several walks by the Mudcats, a double to left field, a sac fly to right, and a sac fly to the gap in left center to make it 6-0. In the bottom half, the Mudcats responded with their first run of the game on a RBI single by David Garcia to make it 6-1.
Josh Knoth pitched 3 innings while allowing only 1 run on 2 hits while striking out 1. Knoth would move to 0-2 on the season, but would lower his ERA to 3.04.
Blake Wolters pitched 4.0 innings with only allowing 1 run on 6 hits with 4 strikeouts.
In the top of the 5th, Columbia responded with 3 runs to make it 9-1. This was started by a Chris Brito Double who was brought home with a Jhonny Perdomo single. Then, Brennon McNair walked and scored on a Milo Rushford double. The Mudcats would be held scoreless for the rest of the game by Ethan Bosacker who pitched 5 scoreless innings with 1 hit and 1 strikeout. The Mudcats would fall short tonight losing 9-1 to the Fireflies.
The Mudcats would fall to 18-7 on the year while Columbia would rise to 13-11. The winning pitcher was Ethan Bosacker. The losing pitcher would be Josh Knoth. The Mudcats would see their lead shrink to 1 game ahead of Fredericksburg. The Mudcats will continue their series at home tomorrow against Columbia at 5 pm.
Manager Stanley meet with the media after the game tonight. When asked about David Garcia’s performance Manager Stanley said:
“Yeah, he’s great. You can always count on him to be prepared and, do his research and, help these pitchers get through the game. And, he started to swing the bat really well, so all good things for him.”
When asked about Jeison Pena and Jeferson Figueroa Manager Stanley said:
“Yeah, those guys are doing really good season opportunities right now to win, when it’s their turn to pitch, go out and attack guys and be aggressive regardless of what the game situation is. Pena pitched in that twelve minute game the other night and kept it right there. And obviously time is a different situation, but he succeeded at both, so that’s good to see..
