(Story courtesy Augusta GreenJackets)
COLUMBIA – In the 23rd and final meeting of the year between the Augusta GreenJackets (29-24, 64-55) and the Columbia Fireflies (25-28, 59-60), Brody Fowler tossed his best start as a pro, holding Columbia to just one run in six innings as the Jackets stole the series with a 3-1 win Sunday.
Fowler cruised through a career-high six innings, not allowing a run until his final frame despite zero strikeouts in his first five innings. Columbia’s lone run against him was an RBI fielder’s choice from Jhosmmel Zue, and Fowler promptly punched out the next hitter he saw to end any lingering threat. Fowler has continuously thrown well away from home as a GreenJacket, allowing just three runs in his last twelve innings away from SRP Park.
Augusta’s offense did not have an absurd amount of success, but took an early lead in the top of the first against Darwin Rodriguez and never looked back in a wire-to-wire win. The Jackets put two on with two outs via an E6 and walk, and Caleb Klein looped a two-run single over the first baseman’s head to put Augusta up in the first frame.
Rodriguez settled in well after the first, and made it into the fifth inning despite 30 pitches in his initial frame. The lone earned run he allowed came in that fifth inning, with Caden Merritt beating out an infield single against reliever Michael Braswell for a three-run cushion. Augusta would not pick up another hit for the rest of the night, but the lead would be enough.
Augusta’s bullpen held firm late in the game, fending off any Columbia challenges to secure the series victory. Logan Forsythe walked two of the first three batters he saw in the seventh to put the tying run at first, but then retired five straight hitters to end the seventh and speed through the eighth. Lewis Sifontes was gifted the save opportunity, and navigated a one-out single to leave the tying run in the batter’s box as he struck out Daniel Lopez looking to end the game and the week.
The GreenJackets won the game and series Sunday and took the season series fourteen wins to nine over 23 games. It marks the second time in three seasons the GreenJackets have won the season series over their closest geographic rival. Augusta has just 12 games remaining in the season, and head home for the final homestand of the year. Myrtle Beach is in town for six games starting Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. marking the last chance to watch the GreenJackets play at SRP Park until 2027.
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