Fireflies take on Myrtle Beach Pelicans in first-ever WIS broadcasted game
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - The Columbia Fireflies are set to continue their series with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans in the first-ever game to be broadcast on WIS.
WIS announced on April 5 a partnership with the Columbia Fireflies and will broadcast a schedule of 12 Fireflies home games for the 2024 Minor League Baseball season.
“We’re very excited to bring more local sports to more fans for free,” said WIS Vice President and General Manager Robby Thomas. “The Columbia Fireflies are popular throughout the Midlands, and WIS is excited to help introduce them to all new audiences.”
First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
LHP Hunter Patteson (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will get the nod for Columbia while Myrtle Beach brings in RHP Juan Bello (0-0, 0.00 ERA).
After dropping their first two games against the Augusta GreenJackets on the road, the Fireflies have won four out of their last five games heading into today’s matchup. The Fireflies have beaten the Myrtle Beach Pelicans in three of those four, including an 18-9 win on Thursday, and a 10-6 win Friday afternoon.
Fireflies have two hitters who have a top-10 batting average in the Carolina League early into the season. Brennon McNair is riding a three-game hitting streak raising his batting average to .462, the fourth-best mark in the Carolina League. McNair also paces the pack in on-base percentage at .632 and OPS at 1.324.
Daniel Vazquez is still in the top 10 as well, hitting at a .417 batting average. Vazquez has the fourth-best on-base percentage too, a .563 mark. Vazquez has the second-most hits in the league (10) and the third-most walks (8).
After starting the season 7-58 (.121) with runners threatening, on Thursday night the Fireflies went 11-20 with runners in scoring position, and on Friday night the team went 7-21. After the last two games, the Fireflies’ average with runners in scoring position is .253, which means they’ve more than doubled that mark in a pair of contests.
The Pelicans are led by second baseman Reginald Preciado. The 20-year-old is hitting at an impressive .444 batting average, all while having an on-base percentage of .483 and an OPS of .964. The second baseman went 3-5 in Friday’s matchup, scoring one run and bringing in an RBI as well.
Preciado’s 12 hits lead the team and is tied with shortstop Alexis Hernandez for the most runs on the Pelicans. Hernandez had an impressive game on Friday, going 2-5 and hitting his first home run of the season at the bottom of the 1st.
Watch the game live on WIS, starting at 6:05 p.m.
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