
Photo via Carolina Mudcats on X
June 19th, 2025
Zebulon, NC- The Carolina Mudcats (36-28) played host to the Columbia Fireflies (36-30) in a Thursday evening contest. The Mudcats entered tonight’s contest 4.0 games behind of the Lynchburg Hillcats (41-25) in the North Division standing. The Mudcats sent Wande Torres (0-5) to the mound who entered tonight’s game with a 6.75 ERA in 34.2 innings pitched. The Fireflies sent David Shields (2-1) to the mound who entered tonight’s game with a 2.11 ERA in 21.1 innings pitched. The Mudcats entered tonight’s contest with losses in 7 of their last 8 games.
The Fireflies struck in the top of the first when Asbel Gonzalez scored on an error by pitcher Wande Torres that gave Columbia a 1-0 lead. The Fireflies scored later in the inning when Derlin Figueroa scored on a double steal that expanded Columbia’s lead to 2-0. The Mudcats responded in the bottom half when Eric Bitonti hit a solo home run to right field which cut the deficit to 2-1. Columbia struck again in the top of the third when Asbel Gonzalez scored on a single to right by Colton Becker which increased Columbia’s lead to 3-1. Colton Becker scored on a wild pitch by pitcher Wande Torres which expanded Columbia’s lead to 4-1.
The Mudcats responded in the bottom of the fourth when Jose Anderson hit a solo home run to left field which decreased the deficit to 4-2. The Fireflies responded in the top of the sixth when Colton Becker scored on an error by center fielder Jose Anderson which increased Columbia’s lead to 5-2. Columbia struck again in the top of the seventh when Brennon McNair scored on a sacrifice fly to center by Henry Ramos which expanded the Colombia lead to 6-2. The Mudcats responded in the bottom half when Reece Walling scored on a sacrifice fly to center by Luis Lameda which decreased the deficit to 6-3. Due to weather the game was called in the top of the eight.
Dash Albus threw 0.1 scoreless innings where he allowed no hits. Garrett Hodges threw 0.1 scoreless innings where he allowed no hits.
The winning pitcher for Columbia was David Sheilds for his 5 innings pitched where he allowed 2 runs on 2 hits. The losing pitcher for Carolina was Wande Torres for his 3.1 innings pitched where he allowed 4 runs on 4 hits. The save went to Dash Albus for his 0.1 scoreless innings where he allowed no hits. Columbia secured the first half championship with their victory tonight. The Mudcats are back in action Friday night at 6:30 pm at Five County Stadium.