(Story courtesy Augusta GreenJackets; file photo by Mike Adams/Augusta Good News)
COLUMBIA – The Augusta GreenJackets took an early lead July 1 and did not let up, notching a victory over the Columbia Fireflies on a picturesque Saturday night at Segra Park.
Columbia (4-3, 39-33) gave up six stolen bases – five to Cory Acton – while Augusta (4-3, 35-37) got three runs batted in from Dawson Dimon and another excellent outing from Spencer Schwellenbach to take the victory.
The Fireflies sent out Shane Panzini (L, 1-6), and before he recorded an out, the GreenJackets had plated two runs. Ambioris Tavarez singled, before Justin Janas tripled him home. A Bryson Worrell single capped the inning, putting the GreenJackets up 2-0.
Spencer Schwellenbach (W, 4-2) gave up two runs in the bottom of the frame, only one earned due to an error, but Augusta pulled back in front in the top of the second on an RBI single from Dimon.
Schwellenbach faced one batter above the minimum over the next four frames, before Augusta pushed their lead in the top of the sixth. After Acton doubled and stole third, Dimon doubled him home, before Tyler Collins dropped a single to add another run and make it 5-2. Schwellenbach was replaced by Tyree Thompson with two outs in the bottom of the sixth. A trio of Firefly errors led to another Augusta run in the eighth, before the Fireflies trimmed the lead to 6-4 with a two-run eighth.
However, Dimon’s stellar day continued. After Acton walked and stole second and third, Dimon once again doubled to left field to plate Augusta’s seventh run of the day. Acton ended the game with five stolen bases, matching the GreenJackets’ franchise record and setting a new single-game Carolina League high in the 2023 season. Jason Franks (S, 3) shut the Fireflies down in the ninth to close out the victory.
The GreenJackets continue their road trip tomorrow at Columbia (Kansas City Royals), before returning to SRP Park for a 4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza. For tickets and more, go to greenjacketsbaseball.com.
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